Demetree Institute for Pro-Life Advancement YouGov/Survey USA 2025 Poll Results:
Abortion Won’t Win the Hearts & Minds of now ALMOST HALF of the Electorate
Millennial & Gen Z Registered Voters Support Limits on Abortion & Legislators Who Protect Life in Law & in Service; A Majority Believe Human Rights Begin in the Womb;
Once Again, Chemical Abortion Pill Dangers lead more than 9 in 10 to Support Protection Measures found in Pro-Life Legislation;
& Planned Parenthood Loses Support After Young Voters Learn More.
OVERVIEW: In advance of the celebration of the fall of Roe v. Wade, the Pro-Life Generation’s Demetree Institute for Pro-Life Advancement again conducted a nation-wide poll the first week in January 2025, in advance of state and federal legislative sessions, to gain a clear understanding of where registered voters, Millennials and Gen Z, stand on the human rights issue of our day – abortion.
Media and political leaders often claim that this critical demographic, now almost HALF (48.5%) of the electorate, are solidly on the side of abortion. The facts tell a different, nuanced story, as did the most recent election. When offered the choice between the most radical pro-abortion ticket in U.S. History, this demographic did not embrace Kamala Harris, who lost ground as 46% of voters 18-29 voted for Donald Trump, according to the Tufts University CIRCLE analysis. Millennials went much farther in their support, notes Deseret News, as Trump “did better among Millennial voters, closing in on Harris, who was ahead by only 1 percentage point.”
In an election in which abortion was chanted by Democratic Party operatives and media analysts like a mantra, voters did not prioritize the ending of life in the womb as predicted.
With state legislative sessions beginning, where policy innovations are underway, and the federal legislative session launched, where crippling mandates are in place and billions of tax dollars are at stake, the Demetree Institute delved into the view of the voters who looked past the slogans to the underlying issues and stakes. Once again, we find that there is common ground and concerns on how abortion is actually handled and how it hurts people – the preborn, their mothers, and the environment.
METHODOLOGY: From January 6-10, 2025, Vinea Research worked with SurveyUSA and YouGov to survey registered voters between the ages of 18-42 (Gen-Z and Millennials) via a 5-minute online survey. We have historically worked with YouGov on this yearly survey. This year, we began transitioning to SurveyUSA. As such, we surveyed 1,343 respondents with Survey USA and 500 respondents with YouGov. The samples were matched down to a sample of 1,037 and 447, respectively, to produce the final data set. Respondents were matched to a sampling frame on gender, age, race, and education. Differences in the responses between the SurveyUSA and YouGov sample were minimal, allowing us to report results based on a blended sample from both panel organizations, for a total sample of 1,485. The margin of error for this study is ± 2.5. A small number of questions were only asked of the Survey USA sample. For those questions, the margin of error is ± 3.0.
Hans Plate, President of Vinea Research, was the research liaison, working closely with Students for Life of America, the Demetree Institute for Pro-Life Advancement, SurveyUSA, and YouGov in all aspects of the research. To contact Hans for questions on methodology, survey design, and results, send an email to [email protected].
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY KEY TAKE AWAYS:
A few of the findings in a glance.
ON THE POLITICS OF ABORTION, MORE ISN’T BETTER:
Almost 7 in 10 support some limits on abortion. (67% to 33% — UP FROM 65% IN 2024).
MORE than 3 in 10 Youth Voters (31%) “would be MORE WILLING to accept limits” if families got the help they need.
LESS THAN 1 in 10 (9%) supported the Democratic Party Platform of abortion without limits, through all nine months, up to and including infanticide for a baby born during a botched abortion. (To note, the Democratic Party Presidential ticket included Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, who stopped abortion reporting in his state after it was reported that at least eight babies were allowed to die following botched abortions.)
Human Rights for Human Beings begin early: 6 in 10 said human rights begin while a child is still in the womb. Only 2% said rights begin when a court says so. ONLY 25% said human rights begin after birth.
ON WHETHER MINDS CAN BE CHANGED – THEY CAN WITH JUST A LITTLE COURAGEOUS CONVERSATION:
Once educated:
+ More Youth Voters supported limits on abortion if more services are in place.
+ Gen Z & Millennial Voters took a step back their support of Planned Parenthood after learning more about their business model and were then more willing to see the tax money wasted with them redirected to other services.
+ More Youth Voters accepted limits on abortion with Hyde Amendment Protections in place.
ON THE PROBLEMS OF CHEMICAL ABORTION PILLS & OPPORTUNITY LEGISLATORS WILL MISS IF THEY DON’T PROTECT MOTHERS & PREBORN CHILD:
Legislators and leaders who don’t engage on the problems of Chemical Abortion Pills – including harms to women, the preborn, and the environment – are missing out on the support of Registered Youth Voters, who value those protections.
Chemical Abortion Pill efforts to protect lives, fertility, and the environment are wildly popular with younger voters, with more than 9 in 10 embracing protections.
- Ultrasound screening to save lives from ectopic pregnancy: 92% feel it is important to have screenings before distributing the deadly pills, with 41% extremely important
- Blood testing to protect fertility: 92% with 39% extremely important
- Studies on the potential environmental impact of waste and drugs related to abortion: 90% support conducting, with 32% saying extremely important
- Red Bag Medical Waste disposal to protect the environment: 90% support, with 33% saying extremely important
- In person care/screening to protect from abusers getting the pills without women’s knowledge or consent: 66% support
MORE THAN HALF — 52% — said they view a legislator favorably when the official protected people and the environment from the negative impacts of abortion, with 22% saying very favorably.
ON WHETHER CONCENSUS IS AVAILABLE (IT IS):
Big Picture: Youth voters do stand on common ground in support for limits on abortion, in protection for women, in rejecting infanticide, in increases in support & service, and in protecting the fertility of women and children, whether from harms of abortion or harms to minors from wrong sex hormones
Infanticide Rejected: Good news for supporters of the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Act. Almost 9 in 10 Youth Voters believe that a baby born during a botched abortion should receive help, and nearly seven in 10 (66%) wanted 911 to be called when an aborted child is born alive.
Pain matters: It’s not the gestational age of a child that matters to most voters; it’s the child’s experience. When asked about support for abortion limits if a baby would experience pain, if neither the baby nor the mother’s life were in danger, 63% would accept limits on abortion at 12.5 week (more than 3 months), while 66% would accept limits at 24 weeks. In our survey, the initial question found that 50% were concerned about a preborn child feeling pain BEFORE asking further questions.
Fertility matters. More than 9 in 10 said it was important to require a blood test to protect a woman’s fertility based on her Rh-negative status. AND, asked about Planned Parenthood’s business model of distributing puberty blockers, more than 9 in 10 (91%) were concerned “that such treatments can permanently sterilize a minor.”
Planned Parenthood’s new business troubling: More younger voters opposed Planned Parenthood’s role in providing “puberty blockers and hormone therapy” given the side effects – 40% to 32% — with 28% neither supporting nor opposing.
ON PLANNED PARENTHOOD’S SHAKY GROUND:
On learning more about Planned Parenthood (PP), younger voters liked them less, making the educational process of investigating the abortion mega provider to debar and defund a winnable discussion.
Of those who had a baseline favorable view of PP, 30% view them less favorably after we showed them information on PP. Of those who had a neutral view of PP, 30% also view PP less favorably.
LESS THAN HALF (48%) supported Planned Parenthood getting tax money, now at nearly $700M.
More than 4 in 10 believed Planned Parenthood could be adequately replaced, given other service locations available, such as taxpayer funded, Federally Qualified Healthcare centers.
NOW FOR THE FINE PRINT …
THE FINDINGS OF THE REPORT IN FULL:
ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT THE YOUTH VOTE & ABORTION MISS THE REALITY: They support limits on abortion & more help for women
Almost 7 in 10 support some limits on abortion. (67% to 33% — UP FROM 65% IN 2024).
Radical abortion support is NOT the norm. Consistently, 1 in 10 or even less than 1 in 10 will be all in for abortion – no matter how a question is asked. Only 9 percent support abortion “at any time during pregnancy and extend to the ending the life of any child born during a failed abortion.”
Generally, 2 in 10 Youth Voters, in question after question, offer unwavering support for the preborn (19% for NEVER legal). That’s more than those who want abortion at any time in the pregnancy (13%).
LESS THAN 1 in 10 (9%) supported the Democratic Party Platform of abortion without limits, through all nine months, up to and including infanticide for a baby born during a botched abortion.
A nuanced view on limits with a comparison to 2024 results.
Which one of the following most closely resembles your views on intentional/elective abortion, when the life of the mother and fetus are not in danger and when the laws include provisions for rape and incest
19%: Abortion should never be legal. (Up from 18% in 2024)
22%: Abortions should not be legal after a heartbeat is confirmed, usually around 6-7 weeks. (The Same as 2024 at 22%)
19%: Abortion should be legal only in the first three months/12 weeks of pregnancy. (Up from 16% in 2024)
18%: Abortion should be legal prior to viability (when the fetus can survive outside the womb), usually after 21 weeks. (Up from 17% in 2024)
13%: Abortion should be legal at any time during pregnancy. (DOWN from 17% in 2024)
9%: Abortion should be legal any time during pregnancy and extend to ending the life of any child born during a failed abortion. (DOWN from 10% in 2024)
PAIN MATTERS & MINDS CAN BE CHANGED:
The pain preborn babies will experience during an abortion was a reason to support limits, and the gestational age of an infant in the womb did not significantly change that math. Earlier limits earned basically the same support as later. Scientific evidence shows that pain can be experienced by a child in the womb as early as 12.5 weeks.
Asked about the study, the poll found:
- When Pain could be felt at 12.5 weeks of pregnancy, 50% supported limits
- When Pain could be felt at 24 weeks, 49% supported limits.
MINDS CHANGED: Support for limits on abortion INCREASED when we tested the question of support for limits if neither the mother’s life or the child’s life was in danger, a shift of 13 points and 15 points.
When asked about support for abortion limits if a baby would experience pain, if neither the baby nor the mother’s life were in danger, 63% would accept limits on abortion at 12.5 weeks (more than three months), while 66% would accept limits at 24 weeks.
Pain Matters: It’s not the age of a child in the womb, but their experience, that counts.
MORE YOUTH VOTERS SUPPORTED ABORTION LIMITS WITH THE HYDE AMENDMENT FRAMEWORK IN PLACE:
MORE THAN HALF of the Youth Vote supports limits on abortion, with the understanding that ALL 50 states have laws in place to protect pregnant mothers and with exceptions for rape & incest.
Fewer Younger Voters opposed limits with those caveats. At the beginning of the poll, 33% wanted no limits, but with the Hyde Amendment framework, only 29% were unlikely to support any limits with only 20% saying very unlikely.
INFANTICIDE NEEDS TO GO – NOW:
Those supporting the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act should win by a landslide.
Almost 9 in 10 Youth Voters believe that a baby born during a botched abortion should receive help, and nearly 7 in 10 (66%) wanted 911 to be called if the aborted child was born alive.
LEGISLATORS HAVE A WINNABLE COALITION FOR LIFE: 44% of the Youth Vote would support a political candidate who is “in favor of abortion restrictions.” Again, the math for total support for abortion remains the same, 28% support no limits on abortion. (Reminder, President Trump made huge gains with the Youth Vote and Millennials in 2024.)
TOP REASONS TO SUPPORT ABORTION LIMITS: Asked a series of questions on support for abortion limits, limits could be accepted for a number of reasons, with the range going from slightly support to definitely support. Accepting limits for pain was already discussed above.
Other Limits that can be accepted by a majority of the Youth Vote:
- 67 % at viability (ability of a child to live outside the womb), with 25% definitely supporting limits.
- 62% to prevent abortion based on a survivable fetal diagnosis such as Down syndrome, with 20% definitely supporting limits.
- 62% to prevent sex selection abortion, with 27% definitely supporting limits.
- 59% to prevent abortions based on very severe fetal diagnosis such as a missing organ, with 17% definitely supporting limits.
- 61% once a baby has a heartbeat, with 21% definitely supporting limits.
- 54% once a child is conceived, with 18% definitely supporting limits.
MOST YOUTH VOTERS SAY HUMAN RIGHTS BEGIN IN THE WOMB:
6 in 10 said human rights begin while a child is still in the womb. (18% said at conception; 20% at confirmed heartbeat; 11% at three months of pregnancy; 11 at about five months of pregnancy)
1 in 4 (25%) said rights begin at birth.
Only 2% said rights begin when a court says so, while 13% were unclear or looking for other variables.
HELP MATTERS & MINDS CAN BE CHANGED WITH SERVICE:
MORE than 3 in 10 Youth Voters (31%) “would be MORE WILLING to accept limits” if families got the help they need.
In fact, 28% of those who want political candidates to be in favor of abortion access (Q07) would be more willing to accept limits (Q11) if their selected services were available. The rank order of the services this group selected (in Q10) were similar to what everyone else selected, though they were more likely to select more of them.
Even 19% of those who are strongly in favor abortion access (for their candidates’ position) would be more willing to accept limits. This compares to 36% of those slightly in favor of abortion access.
Asked “Which of the following do you believe are most important for elected politicians to pass to support mothers, newborns, and families? Select all that apply, support for help from the Youth Vote:
68% Keeping healthcare costs for pregnancy and birth affordable.
66% Paid family leave for new parents that gives them time with their newborn child without sacrificing income
66% Child health and development programs that provide resources for early childhood development, such as home visitation programs, parenting classes, and early intervention services for developmental delays
63% Education and support services focusing on educating new parents about childcare, health, and child development
61% Child tax credits: financial assistance for eligible families in the form of reduced tax liability for each qualifying child under a certain age
60% Childcare subsidies to make childcare more affordable to single mothers or low-income families
59% Workplace support programs (e.g., parking, nursing spaces, childcare, etc.)
59% Programs to support parents who are in college (e.g., parking, nursing spaces, childcare, etc.)
51% Child support from the father to the mother that begins during pregnancy
ON CHEMICAL ABORTION: LEGISLATORS WHO DON’T WEIGH IN ARE MISSING OUT ON AN ISSUE WITH MASSIVE YOUTH VOTE APPEAL:
Ultrasound screening: 92% support with 41% saying it’s extremely important
Blood testing to protect fertility: 92% support with 39% saying it’s extremely important
In person care/screening to protect from abusers getting the pills without women’s knowledge or consent: 66% support
CLEAN WATER A WINNER: STRONG SUPPORT FOR PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT FROM PATHOLOGICAL MEDICAL WASTE FROM CHEMICAL ABORTION PILLS:
From 2024 to 2024, more registered Millennial & Gen Z voters moved from Moderately Important to Extremely Important
90% support conducting studies on the potential environmental impact of waste and drugs related to abortion with 32% saying it’s extremely important
91% support requiring Red Bag Medical Waste disposal with 33% saying it’s extremely important
The Youth Vote is ready for a detailed conversation on the Biden-Harris Administration’s reckless Chemical Abortion Pill policies. More than 9 in 10 believe that women’s health & safety, a child in the womb, and environmental concerns are important considerations when deciding how to handle Chemical Abortion Pills.
Asked about what was important to evaluate:
- 94% said “protecting the pregnant woman’s health and safety,” with 47% saying that’s extremely important.
- 90% said “considering the developing fetus,” with 36% said is extremely important.
- 92% said “addressing the environmental impact of medical waste,” with 30% saying it’s extremely important.
LEGISLATORS WHO ADDRESS POTENTIAL HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS will have friends among the Youth Vote. 52% said they view a legislator favorably who protects people and the environment from the negative impacts of abortion, with 22% saying very favorably.
Again, only 19% said they would view such legislators unfavorably, a consistent number for those who want abortion no matter the consequences.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD ON SHAKY GROUND & MINDS CAN BE CHANGED:
On learning more about Planned Parenthood, Younger Voters liked them less, making the educational process of investigating the abortion mega provider to debar & defund a winnable discussion.
Of those who had a baseline favorable view of Planned Parenthood, 30% view them less favorably after we showed them information. Of those who had a neutral view of Planned Parenthood, 30% also view Planned Parenthood less favorably.
LESS THAN HALF (48%) supported Planned Parenthood getting tax money, now at nearly $700M.
More than 4 in 10 believed Planned Parenthood could be adequately replaced, given other service locations available, such as taxpayer funded, Federally Qualified Healthcare centers.
LESS THAN HALF (48%) supported Planned Parenthood getting tax money, now at nearly $700M.
Almost 4 in 10 (37%) opposed Planned Parenthood getting taxpayer funds, and almost 4 in 10 (38%) thought that the almost $700M they got recently “too much.”
MINDS CHANGED: After learning more about allegations of Medicare/Medicaid fraud, allegedly unsafe conditions at Planned Parenthood’s abortion vendor locations, failures to report sexual assault, and allegations of a currently racist work environment, we saw a 13-point shift — from 15% to 28% unsure of what they thought about Planned Parenthood. (Questions 20 vs. 23)
A sizeable percentage of the Youth Vote supported redirecting that $700 M to:
36% Mental health care
34% General healthcare and wellness services
32% Public schools
27% Job creation
24% Prenatal and birth care
23% Abortion services
20% Assistance for at-risk families
17% Law enforcement and crime prevention
15% Environmental restoration
14% National defense
3% Other
5% None of the above
YOUTH VOTE CONCERNED ABOUT MINORS STERLIZED BY PLANNED PARENTHOOD’S WRONG SEX HORMONE TREATMENTS:
Planned Parenthood says they are the second biggest distributor of wrong sex hormone “treatment” that can render a person sterile.
More than 9 in 10 (91%) were concerned “that such treatments can permanently sterilize a minor.”
More Youth Voters opposed Planned Parenthood’s role in providing “puberty blockers and hormone therapy” given the side effects – 40% to 32% — with 28% neither supporting nor opposing.
PLANNED PARENTHOOD CAN BE REPLACED:
On learning about the number of taxpayer funded, Federally Qualified Healthcare Centers that can provide all the services of Planned Parenthood, but not abortion:
More than 4 in 10 (43%) agreed that Planned Parenthood could be adequately replaced. (20% did not believe the nation’s largest abortion vendor could be adequately replaced, with only 7% strongly disagreeing)
On learning that the volume of patient load would only add 2 additional patients to fill the gap, 46% agreed Planned Parenthood could be replaced with 21% disagreeing.