Poll: Majority of New Yorkers Oppose Governor's Pro-Choice Legislation

By Michael Gryboski, Mainline Church Editor Friday, February 15, 2013

According to a poll commissioned by a pro-life nonprofit, three-quarters of New York voters oppose a new bill that would loosen restrictions on the abortion practice in the Empire State.

The Chiaroscuro Foundation released the findings of their poll, conducted by McLaughlin & Associates, in response to the news of Governor Andrew Cuomo's proposed Reproductive Health Act.

The poll data was gathered from 600 likely voters who are registered in New York. Margin of error is plus or minus four percent.

Findings included 79 percent of respondents saying there is sufficient access to abortion in the state, 76 percent favoring parental notification for a minor seeking abortion, and 80 percent favoring a 24-hour waiting period on abortion.

Of the 600 surveyed, 247 identified themselves as strongly or somewhat pro-life, 328 identified themselves as strongly or somewhat pro-choice, and 25 refused to classify themselves as either pro-life or pro-choice.

Greg Pfundstein, president of the Chiaroscuro Foundation, told The Christian Post that the results of the poll show that Gov. Cuomo's proposed abortion legislation is out of the mainstream.

"The poll shows that while a majority of New Yorkers call themselves pro-choice, that label encompasses a variety of nuanced opinions about abortion," said Pfundstein. "What is clear is that the pro-abortion lobby of NARAL and Planned Parenthood with their advocacy for abortion on demand and without apology does not represent the majority of pro-choice New Yorkers, let alone all New Yorkers."

In January 2012, Gov. Cuomo announced his support for the Reproductive Health Act, stating that it was a crucial component to advancing women's rights.

"New York has a long and proud history as the progressive capital of the nation. It's a legacy that we reestablished last year. We must build on our success this year," said Cuomo in his second "State of the State" address.

The act was part of a 10-point plan on women's issues, which included combating sexual harassment in the workplace and guaranteeing equal pay.

New York Catholic officials have denounced the act, while also commending many of the other proposals in the 10-point plan.

Pfundstein told CP that he hoped the poll done by the Chiaroscuro Foundation would have an influence on the debate over the recently proposed abortion legislation.

"We hope our poll will make space for discussing sensible abortion policy in line with public opinion. New Yorkers think Cuomo's effort to expand abortion is moving in the wrong direction," said Pfundstein.

"We should be talking about sensible restrictions that will bring New York's extremely high abortion rate down."

The office of Cuomo did not return comment by press time.