Campaign Almanac: New poll suggests majority of Iowans oppose state abortion ban

A majority of Iowans oppose the state’s new abortion law that bans most abortions early in pregnancy, according to a new Des Moines Register/Mediacom Iowa Poll.

The law restricts abortions once cardiac activity can be detected, which typically is at roughly six weeks of pregnancy, often before a woman is aware of the pregnancy. The law, among the most restrictive in the nation, includes narrow exceptions for rape, incest, fatal fetal abnormalities and to save the life of the pregnant woman. Previously, Iowa law allowed abortions until about 20 weeks of pregnancy.

The poll, the first on the issue since the Iowa law went into effect in July, found that 59 percent of Iowans — including 69 percent of women — disapproved of the restrictions. It found 37 percent of Iowans favored the new law, and 5 percent were not sure.

Iowans’ support for abortion rights has continued to rise in the wake of a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning a federally protected right to abortion. The decision gave states the authority to enact their own abortion laws, creating a fractured patchwork of abortion policies across the country.

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Nearly two-thirds, 64 percent, of poll respondents say abortion should be legal in all or most cases — the highest since the Iowa Poll began asking the question in 2008. That compares with 33 percent who say abortion should be illegal in most or all cases and 3 percent who are not sure.

The Iowa Poll also tested opinions of the Iowa Supreme Court. About half, 49 percent, of respondents say they approved of the Iowa Supreme Court, while 33 percent disapproved and 18 percent were not sure.

A divided Iowa Supreme Court in a 4-3 decision issued June 28 cleared the way for the state abortion ban to take effect, stating the measure survives judicial scrutiny under Iowa’s constitution.

Selzer & Co. conducted the poll based on telephone interviews with 811 Iowans ages 18 or older from Sept. 8-11. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.4 percentage points.

Iowa Democratic Party officials and women’s health care activists held a news conference Monday to highlight the results. Party Chair Rita Hart and other state party leaders emphasized the importance of women having control over their own medical decisions, and urged voters to vote in November to end “Republican extremism” and protect reproductive freedom.

Dr. Emily Boevers, an obstetrician and gynecologist from Waverly and co-founder of the abortion rights group Iowans For Health Liberty, highlighted the potential economic and health consequences of abortion bans. She and others noted abortion bans have been linked to the death of two women in Georgia after they were denied treatment.

Republican Party of Iowa Chair Jeff Kaufmann, in a statement, questioned why the poll “didn’t ask Iowans what they think about abortion on demand up to the point of birth.”

“This seems partisan and biased,” Kaufmann responded to The Gazette.

Iowa Democrats say they support codifying Roe v. Wade, the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that established a constitutional right to abortion. The court opinion said the government can’t interfere with a right to an abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy, but could restrict or prohibit abortions once a fetus is viable outside the womb. Democrats say they support post-viability exceptions in cases where the patient’s life or health is at risk. Republicans claim the exception would allow abortion on demand “up to the moment of birth.” Democrats counter that’s not what they support.

Johnson County announces satellite voting sites

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The Johnson County Auditor’s Office announced satellite voting locations, dates and times where voters can cast a ballot ahead of the Nov. 5 general election. Satellite voting locations, dates and times are expected to be finalized by the Linn County Auditor’s Office the first week of October.

Early in-person and mail-in voting starts Oct. 19.

Johnson County satellite voting locations and times:

Coralville Public Library, 1401 Fifth St., Coralville: Oct. 19, 10 a.m. — 4 p.m.; Oct. 20, noon — 4 p.m.

Iowa Memorial Union, 125 N. Madison St., Iowa City: Oct. 21 — Oct. 23, 9 a.m. — 3 p.m.

University of Iowa Health Care Medical Center, 200 Hawkins Dr., Iowa City: Oct. 21 — Oct. 23, 10 a.m. — 4 p.m.

UIHC — Iowa River Landing, East Lobby, 920 E. Second Ave., Coralville: Oct. 24, 10 a.m. — 4 p.m.

UIHC — Health Care Support Services Building, 3281 Ridgeway Dr., Coralville: Oct. 25, 10 a.m. — 4 p.m.

Iowa City Public Library, 123 S. Linn St., Iowa City: Oct. 26, 11 a.m. — 4 p.m.; Oct. 27, noon — 5 p.m.; Oct. 28 — 30, 10 a.m. — 8 p.m.

North Liberty Library, 520 W. Cherry St., North Liberty: Nov. 1 and Nov. 2, 11 a.m. — 5 p.m.

Along with satellite locations, early voting will be offered weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 16 to Nov. 4 in the Johnson County Administration Building lobby at 913 S. Dubuque St. in Iowa City. Drive-through voting will be in the Health and Human Services Building parking ramp, 855 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City.

Early voting evening and weekend hours:

Johnson County residents can view sample ballots by entering their address into the county’s polling place finder at gis.johnsoncountyiowa.gov/pollingplaces.

Gazette-Lee Des Moines Bureau