New polling conducted by WPA Intelligence for Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and the non-partisan, Richmond-based Virginia Family Foundation shows Virginia voters strongly support protecting unborn children at 15 weeks.
Science shows that an unborn child has a heartbeat about five or six weeks’ gestation, and they can feel pain by 15 weeks. Almost two thirds of voters also oppose allowing abortion on demand until birth. The poll surveyed 519 registered voters statewide from January 3-5, 2023.
Two lawmakers who represent districts covering the area between Roanoke and Lynchburg have introduced legislation related to these findings. Del. Kathy Byron (R-Bedford), a member of SBA Pro-Life America’s National Pro-Life Women’s Caucus, and Sen. Stephen Newman (R-Bedford) introduced legislation recently that limits painful later-term abortions after 15 weeks, with exceptions in cases of rape, incest or to save the life of the mother.
Governor Glenn Youngkin has called on the General Assembly to pass the bill. The text of Senate Bill 1385 can be found here.
Key poll findings include:
- 61% of likely voters support a bill protecting an unborn child after 15 weeks – a point when science shows they can feel pain – with exceptions for rape, incest or if the mother’s life is at risk. These numbers include 64% of Independents, 55% of Democrats, and 56% of women.
- 65% of likely voters oppose allowing abortion until the moment of birth.
- 60% of likely pro-choice voters agree with legislation that limits abortion after 15 weeks.
