Over half of Hispanic Catholics in U.S. support legal Abortion, echoing Pro-Choice Majority, a study reveals

NEW YORK CITY - More than half of Hispanic Catholics across the U.S. believe that abortion should be legal in all or most cases, according to a new study by the Public Religion Research Institute.

In the new report, titled "Abortion Views in All 50 States: Findings from PRRI's 2023 American Values Atlas," the institute surveyed more than 22,000 adults living in all 50 states in the U.S. on their values and beliefs on abortion.

The study found that nearly two-thirds of Americans support the right to legal abortions in all or most cases, with more than six in ten Americans saying abortion should be legal and 35% saying it should be illegal in most or all cases.

When it comes to party affiliation, however, there's a 50-point gap between Republicans and Democrats. 86% of Democrats say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, compared with 36% of Republicans.

These figures come as abortion remains a widely contested topic across the country, and a major campaign focus for Democrats and President Biden.

In Arizona, for instance, the state Supreme Court resuscitated a 1864 abortion ban that did not give exceptions for survivors of rape or incest and only permits procedures necessary to save the patient's life. Nevertheless, the Arizona Senate approved a repeal on Wednesday, with Gov. Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, expected to swiftly sign the repeal into law.

In relation to religious groups, the study reports that 57% of Hispanic Catholics believe that abortion should be legal in all or most cases. That is a relatively low number compared to other groups. For example, 93% of Unitarian Universalists, 81% of Jewish Americans and 73% of Catholics of color believe the same.

Similarly, there is a distinct connection between Christian nationalism and support or opposition to abortion policies in all states, according to PRRI. When examining Christian nationalism Adherents' and Sympathizers' views on abortion by racial groups, Black Christian nationalism Adherents and Sympathizers (59) are about twice as likely as Hispanic Christian nationalism Adherents and Sympathizers (34%) to say abortion should be legal in all or most cases.

Furthermore, as the election nears, and abortion is set to be on the ballot in multiple states, religious groups have different views on which way to swing.

Fewer than four in ten Catholics of color (39%) and Hispanic Protestants (37%) say they would only vote for a candidate who shares their views on abortion. Similarly, only 29% of Hispanic Catholics say the same thing.

Salience-wise, about one-third of Hispanic Americans (34%) say they will only vote for a candidate who shares their views on abortion.

Following the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022 by the U.S. Supreme Court states have been left to decide their frameworks for abortion. Some states, like Maryland, Michigan and Ohio have enshrined abortions. While others are seeking to outlaw it.

Most recently, Florida's six-week abortion ban came into force on Wednesday, for now. But this ban may be undone as soon as November, when Floridians will vote on a ballot measure known as Amendment 4, which could protect abortion access until around 24 weeks of pregnancy.