Contributed
RALEIGH, N.C. – Half of North Carolinians consider themselves to be pro-life, according to an early release of Civitas Institute’s latest statewide poll.
Forty percent stated they were pro-choice, and 10 percent were unsure or refused to answer.
Support for protecting unborn children has seen an uptick at the national level, as well. A February Marist poll found that “Americans are as likely to identify as pro-life (47%) as they are pro-choice (47%).”
“In the wake of horrific anti-life legislation pushed in the New York and Virginia legislatures in recent months, it is reassuring to see a significant number of North Carolinians identify as pro-life. It should serve as a clear message to politicians that radical abortion legislation is out of step with half of their electorate,” said Brooke Medina, Civitas communications director.
And even among those that self-described as pro-choice, over one-third believe that abortion should be limited to the first three months of pregnancy. Again, this fact stands in stark contrast to the attempts of anti-life politicians and judges bent on expanding abortion in our state.
On March 25, U.S. District Judge William Osteen Jr. struck down North Carolina’s regulation on abortions after 20 weeks gestation. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic NC and the American Civil Liberties Union of North Carolina rushed to heap praise on the decision.
However, despite their celebration, among those surveyed, 50 percent said they favor legislation prohibiting unborn children from being aborted after 13 weeks gestation unless there is a medical emergency.
“The streak of judicial activism that resulted in Judge Osteen’s decision is out of step with half of North Carolinians,” continued Medina. “Although far-left activists, anti-life legislators, and judges will paint the abortion conversation around a woman’s right to choose, public sentiment is changing. Thanks to technological advances, women and men are waking up to the fact that the unborn child is a human being who worthy is of respect and dignity. It’s time our laws reflect this reality.”
The sample size for the survey is 500 likely voters in North Carolina and the margin of error is +/-4.38%. Responses were gathered via landline and mobile telephone interviews conducted by live callers at a professional call center. The survey was conducted March 14 – 17, 2019 by Harper Polling. The total percentages of responses may not equal 100% due to rounding.
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