How should the legality of abortion be determined?

In answer to the above question, the largest share of respondents (30 percent) told America that the legality of abortion should be determined by the Supreme Court, as it currently is. “The Supreme Court focuses on the intention and constitutionality of law, but under the premise that new information and interpretation is always relevant,” wrote Jaime Piernicky of Omaha, Neb. “The Supreme Court (in theory) is free to be more objective.” Debra Lukacsko of Hardyston Township, N.J., concurred: “There should be one law for the entire nation. It should not be a state by state decision.”

Twenty percent of respondents argued a constitutional amendment would be a better method to determine the legality of abortion. Michael Mullen of Laguna Woods, Calif., explained that he gave this answer because “I think this is the most potentially permanent and effective means of change.”

Alternatively, 19 percent of respondents proposed that the legality of abortion should be determined by statewide referenda. “A vote of the people would give the law more legitimacy than the other options,” said Marion Eagen of Clark’s Green, Pa. Karen Stigers of Kansas City, Kan., agreed: “Elected officials frequently disregard the desires of their voters, so give the decision directly to them.”

This article appears in August 6 2018.