New poll: Most Americans continue to support restrictions on abortion

A poll released last week just before the March for Life revealed that less than 40% of Americans considered themselves “pro-life” as opposed to “pro-choice,” yet more than two-thirds continued to support certain restrictions on abortion.

Key Takeaways:

• In general, most respondents — despite the majority also identifying as "pro-choice" instead of "pro-life" — support restricting abortion to the first trimester and/or to cases of life of the mother, rape, or incest.

• The majority also support conscience protections for healthcare workers and also support the idea of pregnancy centers.

• The majority oppose taxpayer funding for abortion, both domestically and overseas.

The Details:

The Marist Poll, commissioned by the Knights of Columbus, was published it on January 22 and surveyed 1,408 U.S. adults. Respondents were asked whether they considered themselves "pro-life" or "pro-choice," — and just 37% chose the "pro-life" label, with 62% selecting "pro-choice," and just 1% uncertain. 

Live Action News has noted in the past that in reality, it isn't the label that determines the support for limitations; often, those who call themselves "pro-choice" actually believe in significantly restricting abortion (and sometimes, those who claim to be "pro-life" don't believe in protecting all preborn children). Polls tend to reveal more when respondents are asked about specific limitations they would support.

Results from the poll reveal:

• 57% of respondents support limiting elective abortions to no later than the first trimester.

• 63% believe healthcare providers with religious objections to abortion should not be coerced to conduct or assist in them.

• 88% agree that laws can safeguard both the mother and her preborn baby.

• Just 32% — less than a third — of "pro-choice" individuals support abortion access up to birth.

• 37% of respondents believe most abortions should be illegal (21% would allow for the mother's life/rape/incest, 10% would allow solely to save the mother's life, and 6% would reject it in every case).

• 54% oppose taxpayer funding for abortions domestically, against 45% who support it.

• 69% oppose using taxpayer funds for overseas abortions, with 29% who support it.

• 63% support conscience protections for healthcare workers refusing to participate in abortions (36% opposed).

• 84% supported the idea of pregnancy resource centers — which offer life-affirming support — versus just 15% who oppose them.

Among Catholics, 44% identified as "pro-life" and 55% as "pro-choice," though among Catholics who regularly practiced their faith, 58% identified as "pro-life" versus 41% as "pro-choice." On the contrary, only 31% of non-practicing Catholics associated themselves with the pro-life label, while 68% identified as pro-choice.

Commentary:

“Despite the publicly heated debates about abortion, there remains a consensus of opinion on this issue among Americans,” Barbara L. Carvalho, the director of the Marist Poll, declared in response to the poll results. “Despite the changes in practice that have occurred since the Supreme Court’s landmark Dobbs decision, public opinion has remained consistent.”

Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly stated that the survey revealed that “a majority of Americans support legal restrictions on abortion” and “a growing majority support pregnancy resource centers, which provide assistance to mothers and their children in their time of greatest need.”

While the poll results show a relatively consistent trend voicing some degree of support for restrictions on abortion, the considerable degree of support displayed for unlimited abortion is cause for concern in a post-Dobbs era. Writer Mike Flinn stated in a recent article for Crisis Magazine: 

While we attempted to pass strict abortion bans in states, our opponents understood that the average American was not ready to vote for those bans. The data proves they were right.

The latest statistics from the Society of Family Planning show that abortions have increased every year since Dobbs, including a 4 percent increase in month-to-month abortions over the first six months of 2025 compared to 2024.

Much of the increase since Dobbs is due to an increase in telehealth abortions, which the Society of Family Planning reports as accounting for 27 percent of all abortions nationwide. With abortions now easier to access than ever, we know that the legal, court-focused pro-life fight has failed. 

The Bottom Line:

The Trump administration must continue their momentum with regard to pro-life policies at the federal level by permanently defunding pro-abortion organizations like Planned Parenthood, and bolstering the work of pregnancy help centers across the country. But largely, the battle is going to be fought in the hearts and minds of Americans.

Flinn added:

The pro-life movement needs a cultural campaign aimed at the individual conscience, not courtroom battles. This campaign must reach beyond the 1.5 percent of women who seek an abortion; it must persuade the nation.