8 in 10 Missouri Voters Have Concerns with 72-Hour Forced Delay for Abortions

7 in 10 say legislators have wrong priorities

July 9, 2014

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: 212-549-2666, media@aclu.org

ST. LOUIS—The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has released a new poll showing that 8 out of 10 Missouri voters have concerns about the 72-hour forced delay for a woman seeking an abortion, which Gov. Jay Nixon has vetoed. Nearly three-quarters of Missouri (7 in 10) voters say their legislators should focus on jobs and the economy, rather than wasting more time and taxpayer resources interfering with women’s private decisions.

Public Policy Polling (PPP) conducted the poll of 759 Missouri voters immediately following the governor’s veto last week. The poll found a majority opposed the forced delay measure. More than half of those who opposed the legislation said it would influence for whom they vote in November.

“This poll is a wake-up call for politicians who are intent on putting roadblocks in the path of a woman seeking a safe and legal abortion,” said Jennifer Dalven, director of the ACLU’s Reproductive Freedom Project. “Missourians – and voters across the country – are making it crystal clear that they’ve had it with politicians interfering in a woman’s personal, private decisions.”

Extremist politicians have already indicated they will go against the will of Missourians and attempt to override the veto in early September when the Missouri General Assembly reconvenes for its annual veto session. If they do override the veto, Missouri would be one of only two states with such an extreme forced delay law.