Abortion-rights ballot initiatives backed by at least half of Republicans in Arizona, Nevada

Editor’s note: The headline of this story has been updated to correctly characterize the ballot initiatives.

At least half of Republican voters in Arizona and Nevada say they would vote for ballot initiatives this November that protect abortion access, according to a pair of Fox News polls released Wednesday.

Fifty percent of Republicans in Arizona and 54 percent of Republicans in Nevada say they would vote for their states’ proposed constitutional amendments to “establish the right to an abortion up until fetal viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health,” according to the polls, which were conducted Aug. 23-26.

The initiatives are broadly supported across demographics groups in both key battleground states.

Overall, 73 percent of Arizona voters say they back the proposed state amendment, including 95 percent of Democrats and 76 percent of independents. The amendment is backed by 96 percent of self-described liberals, 81 percent of self-described moderates and 52 percent of self-described conservatives.

The only Arizona demographic listed as having less than 50 percent backing the initiative is “white evangelicals,” 49 percent of whom support the amendment. Even among those who “strongly disapprove” of President Biden, 51 percent support the initiative.

Similar trends are evident in Nevada.  

Overall, 75 percent of Nevada voters back the ballot initiative, including 95 percent of Democrats and 76 percent of independents. It is also backed by 96 percent of liberal voters, 81 percent of moderates and 57 percent of conservatives.

A majority (58 percent) of white evangelical voters in Nevada back the initiative, as do 54 percent of those who “strongly disapprove” of Biden.

Democrats hope abortion remains a top issue for voters, who say they largely trust the Democratic Party on the issue more than they do the Republicans.

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, 22 GOP-led states have seen anti-abortion laws take effect that ban or restrict abortion access beyond the standard held for nearly half a century. Several states have seen initiatives led by citizen activists to put the issue on the ballot, letting residents vote directly on the issue during the general election.

The Arizona poll included 1,014 registered voters. The Nevada poll included 1,026 registered voters. Both had a 3-point margin of error.

Updated Aug. 29 at 1:40 p.m. EDT