Abortion's Influence in 2026 Midterm Elections Shows Shifting Voter Priorities
Data from PRRI reveal a significant decline among Democrats in viewing abortion as a vote-influencing issue, dropping from 55% in 2024 to 36% by October 2025. In contrast, Republicans' concern about abortion remained relatively stable during this period. A September poll conducted by The 19th and SurveyMonkey indicated that voters most engaged on abortion matters are predominantly those advocating for its ban.
During the 2024 elections, abortion was a central and powerful issue for Democrats. Vice President Kamala Harris emphasized abortion rights throughout the campaign, and Democratic candidates and political action committees spent approximately $175 million on abortion-related television advertising. Despite this, Donald Trump secured the popular vote, and Republicans maintained control over both chambers of Congress. Federal legislative focus has since shifted away from abortion, concentrating instead on topics such as immigration, tariffs, and the federal workforce.
Melissa Deckman, CEO of PRRI, highlighted that Democrats' attention has pivoted towards concerns about the economy and the overall health of democracy. Supporting this shift, an August Emily’s List poll found that voters prioritize economic issues over abortion, even though 49% of female voters consider threats to abortion rights a potential dealbreaker.
At the state level, several ballot measures related to abortion access will be decided in the 2026 midterms. States including Idaho, Oregon, and Virginia are set to vote on initiatives that would protect abortion access. Meanwhile, Nebraska and Montana will face measures to restrict or eliminate abortion rights. Additionally, Nevada and Missouri have abortion-related measures on their ballots; Nevada's measure, which passed in 2024, requires a second approval to become a constitutional amendment, while Missouri’s measure was previously considered in 2024.
