Latinos are expected to make up about a quarter of Arizonans who cast ballots in this year’s election, according to NALEO Educational Fund, a nonprofit that works to increase Latino political participation. As Arizona considers a ballot measure to expand abortion access, a new poll shows the majority of this influential population of voters wants abortion to be legal.
The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research this month found about two-thirds of all Hispanic Americans want abortion to be legal in all or most cases. More than 60% of Catholic, Protestant and religiously unaffiliated Latinos held the opinion.
“As much as people think, ‘oh, Latinos are conservative and pro-life,’ they might be pro-life in their own house, but they want people to have the access to make decisions for themselves,” said Anna Abeytia, who serves on the Cartwright Elementary School District governing board and is seeking election to Arizona’s House of Representatives.
During a Latino-focused reproductive rights event in Phoenix on Thursday, Abeytia discussed her own recent experience having an abortion. And she said the story resonates with voters she speaks to in her predominantly Latino Maryvale district.
“They just want their communities to be safe, and they want people to be able to thrive,” Abeytia said.
The poll found Latinos’ views on abortion were similar to the opinions of the U.S. general population.
