Abortion is crucial for Black women ahead of the presidential election

More than 25% of Black women consider abortion is a key issue in the upcoming 2024 presidential election.

A survey by KFF, a health policy research firm, found 28% of black women they focused on abortion before going to the polls. With 19% of women living in states where abortion is banned and 17% of women under age 50, two-thirds of participants wanted abortion legalized in all or most cases.

This is a serious demographic shift for white, conservative evangelicals who in 2020 voted for former President Donald Trump, who promised to appoint Supreme Court justices who favor stripping women of their constitutional right to abortion. Since the overturning of the v. judgment in June 2022, the situation has reversed. “It’s a complete change,” said KFF interviewer Ashley Kirzinger. “Abortion voters are young black women, not white evangelicals.”

More than half of Black Americans live in the South, where most of the strictest abortion laws have been enacted. As of 2023, nearly 25 million women live in states with latest restrictions following the Supreme Court’s decision. As the country prepared for a Biden-Trump rematch in the polls, Biden vowed to guard access to abortion. Because women, especially Black women, played a key role in Biden’s victory over Trump in 2020, fighting the issue could keep him in the Oval Office for a second term. “Abortion clearly appeals to this group,” Kirzinger said.

“When we think about abortion access and who is disadvantaged, we think of black women.”

Black women’s advocacy groups across the country are making every effort to supply women with reproductive rights education in the political sector. Some say Trump is likely back on the ballot and it is time to hold people accountable. “As we get to the next cycle of elected officials and leaders, we definitely want to hold people accountable to ensure we have bodily autonomy and power over our bodies,” said Ashlei Spivey, founder of I Be Black Girl, based on WOWT

The Omaha, Nebraska-based organization participated in Legislative Day on March 7 to show residents approach lawmakers about issues that affect them. Describing the political process as “complex,” Spivey wants to offer women the resources and courage to be strong advocates. “We described the legislative process first because it can be very complex,” Spivey said. “Then we gave them the tools to say, ‘this is what I would like to advertise’ or ‘here’s what I would like you to uplift.’

For the latest organization SHERO, women’s reproductive rights are crucial. SHERO, an acronym that stands for “Shaping Healthy, Equitable Reproductive Outcomes,” supports mothers-to-be. Buffy Bush, director of SHERO Omaha, said abortion rights are central to her work and helping women find their voice in elections is crucial. “We will encourage them to vote based on their beliefs, and our work is to continue to encourage them to find their inner SHERO,” Bush said.

Currently, Nebraska laws prohibit abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy.