New Poll Reveals 67% of Americans Support Legal Limits on Abortion and 88% of Americans Believe Laws Can Protect Both the Mother and her Unborn

A Majority of Americans Continue to Support Legal Limits on Abortion

NEW HAVEN, Conn. — The 2026 Knights of Columbus-Marist Poll results, released today, show that 67% of Americans support placing legal limits on abortion, and that 57% support limiting abortions to at most the first three months of pregnancy. This survey, conducted by the Marist Poll and commissioned annually by the Knights of Columbus, also found that 84% of Americans support pregnancy resource centers, which offer support to mothers both during their pregnancy and after their baby is born. Additionally, the poll found that 63% of Americans believe healthcare professionals with religious objections to abortions should not be legally required to perform them, while 88% of Americans believe that laws can protect both the mother and her unborn child.

“Despite the publicly heated debates about abortion, there remains a consensus of opinion on this issue among Americans. Americans believe abortion should be limited yet include exceptions for rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother,” says Dr. Barbara L. Carvalho, Director of the Marist Poll. “Despite the changes in practice that have occurred since the Supreme Court’s landmark Dobbs decision, public opinion has remained consistent.”

“Once again, most Americans are steadfast in their belief that abortion should be significantly limited yet laws should include exceptions for rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother,” says Dr. Barbara L. Carvalho, Director of the Marist Poll. “This clear trend found in the annual Knights of Columbus-Marist Poll has continued, nearly two years after the Supreme Court’s landmark Dobbs decision.”

“The Knights of Columbus-Marist Poll continues to show that a majority of Americans support legal restrictions on abortion. At the same time, a growing majority support pregnancy resource centers, which provide assistance to mothers and their children in their time of greatest need,” said Knights of Columbus Supreme Knight Patrick Kelly.

He continued, “The Knights have supported vulnerable women and their children since our founding by Blessed Michael McGivney more than 140 years ago, and our commitment has never wavered. And now, we’re guided by the encouraging words of Pope Leo XIV, who recently mentioned in his “State of the World” address, ‘life is a priceless gift,’ and that, as Catholics, we have a ‘fundamental ethical imperative’ to ‘welcome and fully care for unborn life.’ The Knights of Columbus’ mission will continue to be guided by these principles until abortion becomes unthinkable.”

Knights across the United States and Canada have raised more than $19 million to support vital pregnancy resource centers through our ASAP, or Aid and Support After Pregnancy program. Knights have also funded the purchase of over 2,000 ultrasound machines, which empower vulnerable mothers to see their unborn babies.

This national survey of 1,408 adults was conducted January 12th through January 13th, 2026, by the Marist Poll sponsored in partnership with the Knights of Columbus.

Source: https://www.kofc.org/resources/news/press-releases/polls/marist-poll-a-consistent-consensus-supports-legal-limits-on-abortion22/