BETHLEHEM, Pa. -- Abortion is an issue motivating many voters to cast their ballot Tuesday, with some believing the midterm election's outcome could further restrict access in Pennsylvania.
“It's women's rights. It’s their bodies. They shouldn't be told what to do with their bodies."Stacey Rivera, Bethlehem
The U.S. Supreme Court overturning of Roe vs. Wade, the 1973 decision to legalize abortion nationwide, earlier this year made the issue of abortion rights a key reason many voters will head to the polls.
“It's women's rights. It’s their bodies. They shouldn't be told what to do with their bodies,” said Stacey Rivera of Bethlehem.
Rivera, who said she is voting this time around, said it’s one of the top issues for her.
“For everybody, not just in my family, but everybody has their own choice and that's being taken away,” she said.
Dr. Atheendar Venkataramani, an assistant professor in the Department of Medical Ethics and Health Policy at the University of Pennsylvania's Perelman School of Medicine, said, “the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade means that states have the final say with regards to whether abortion care is provided or not.
"And so in PA, the party that holds that state legislature and/or governorship will likely act to preserve or restrict access to abortion care quickly."
At the national level, Venkataramani said "the likelihood of congressional action to address abortion care also depends on which party is in control.”
A Pew Research survey conducted in May showed 51% of adults in Pennsylvania said abortion should be legal in all or most cases, 44% said abortion should be illegal in all or most cases, and 5% said they did not know.
Schnecksville resident Mary Cohick said abortion also is something she’s thinking about as she casts her ballot.
“It's important," she said. "It's religious-based for me, so it's a moral conversation, but importantly, it's my conversation for me and not for anyone else.”
Venkataramani said, “Policies that restrict access to abortion will make it harder for women to access these services, as well as reproductive care.
"These impacts on access will fall hardest on lower-income women and their families, as well as for those experiencing reproductive emergencies, for which an abortion may reduce the risk of severe harm to the mother, or death. Beyond this, restricting access to abortion can reduce women’s educational attainment, financial security, and earnings prospects.”
- Abortion is a ballot issue motivating many voters to cast their ballot Tuesday
- Voters say it's important to them as the outcome could determine women's rights in Pennsylvania
- Ahead of the election, abortion still is legal in Pennsylvania following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision in June
It’s a big factor motivating voters, such as Jeffrey DeSantiago of Bethlehem, to cast their ballot in this election.
“Women's rights and stuff,” DeSantiago said. “If they get sick or anything like that and they can't do abortion, what's going to happen to them? So, yeah, I'm with having an abortion for the women's health.”
Katie Desir, of Bethlehem, said she extended her maternity leave so she was able to focus on Election Day.
"I think all the important issues that are up for a changing right now, it's very important to put people in who are going to vote for our rights, and not taking them away,” Desir said.
Abortion remains legal in Pennsylvania following the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision in June.
