A Gallup poll conducted from May 1-17, 2026, reveals that American attitudes towards abortion have remained stable four years after the Supreme Court's Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade. The poll indicates that 48% of Americans believe abortion should be legal in all (33%) or most (15%) circumstances, while 49% prefer it to be illegal (17%) or legal in only a few circumstances (32%). This division reflects a consistent trend since 2022, contrasting with previous decades when majorities favored more restrictive laws.
Partisan differences are significant, with 75% of Democrats supporting legal abortion compared to 15% of Republicans. Among independents, 48% favor broad legality. Gender differences also persist, with 55% of women supporting legal abortion compared to 38% of men.
On the morality of abortion, 49% of respondents consider it morally acceptable, while 41% view it as morally wrong, and 8% believe it depends on the situation. This marks a shift from 2021 when opinions were more evenly divided.
The poll also shows that 53% of Americans identify as pro-choice, a figure that has remained stable since 2022, while 42% identify as pro-life. Among Democrats, 81% identify as pro-choice compared to 17% of Republicans. The results reflect ongoing divisions in abortion laws across states, with some states implementing total bans and others maintaining more expansive access.