Despite an impending trigger law that will criminalize abortions in most cases in Texas, a majority of the state’s voters oppose a total ban on the procedure, according to the latest poll conducted by UT’s Texas Politics Project. 

From June 16-24, the poll surveyed 1,200 registered voters in Texas that resembled the demographics of the state’s population. 54% of Texas voters surveyed were opposed to banning abortion 30 days after the overturn of Roe v. Wade, while 37% were in support. A June 2022 Texas Politics Project survey that found when asked about the availability of abortion access, 15% of respondents selected the option “by law, abortion should never be permitted,” compared to 38% of respondents who chose “by law, a woman should always be able to obtain an abortion as a matter of personal choice.”  

In Texas, abortion is currently banned after the Texas Supreme court ruled a 1925 law could be enforced following the overturn of Roe v. Wade. 

Joshua Blank, director of research for the Texas Politics Project, said the results of the poll show a disconnect between the “rightward shift” of state policies and the opinions of Texas voters.  

“Ultimately, this is a reflection of a political system that, supercharged by redistricting, has prioritized partisan primary electorates over general election voters, and in turn, elevated the policy desires of distinct minorities holding often extreme views on policies in areas highly salient to them, like abortion, guns and public schools, over the preferences of the public as a whole,” Blank said in an email.  

The poll also measured the respondents’ support for abortion access in a variety of circumstances. 82% of respondents supported access to an abortion if the pregnant person’s health is seriously endangered. Additionally, respondents supported access to an abortion if the pregnancy was the result of rape or incest at 80% and 78%, respectively. Texas’ trigger law makes no exceptions for cases of rape or incest, but does if the person is at risk for death or “substantial impairment of a major bodily function.”

Carissa Haensgen, the member engagement coordinator for UT Students 4 Planned Parenthood, said the results of the Texas Politics Project poll are not surprising and she expected Texans to support access to abortion. 

“It makes more sense that people are open to the idea and want people to have access to (abortion),” said Haensgen, a psychology and social work senior. “What I do find surprising is the fact that the decisions that are being made don’t reflect the majority (population’s) opinion and unfortunately, we see that happening all too often —  where politicians don’t actually pass legislation that reflects the values and the beliefs of the people they serve. It’s just their own agenda.”   

The poll also showed 88% of respondents believe women should have access to birth control.

Since the abortion ban in Texas, Haensgen said Students 4 Planned Parenthood has expanded their abortion rights advocacy to include preventative measures to getting pregnant, such as contraceptive use.

“We do have the opportunity to make a difference since there is speculation that the overturning (of Roe v. Wade) will possibly lead to other issues such as limited contraception access,” Haensgen said. “We don’t know where the future is going to take us, so definitely, we need to continue the fire and the passion (surrounding) the issue.”