A new Pew poll found that 61 percent of those surveyed said abortion should be legal in all or most cases, whereas only 38 percent said it should be illegal.

Despite the debate and ongoing tension over abortion, the majority of Americans still think it should be legal in all or most cases, according to the Pew Research Center .

The new data also show that the vast majority of Americans, seven in 10, support Roe v. Wade, and do not want to see the landmark Supreme Court decision that established abortion rights overturned. Additionally, 59 percent of Americans said they’re most concerned about states making it too difficult to get an abortion.


In the last year, several states passed measures sharply restricting access to abortion, drawing opposition from activists and advocates. In other states, such as Masschusetts, groups supporting abortion rights are looking to protect and expand access to abortion through the ROE Act. The bill would allow for later abortions in cases of fatal fetal anomalies and would remove the age and parental or judicial consent requirements.

Aimee Ortiz can be reached at aimee.ortiz@globe.com. Follow her on twitter @aimee_ortiz.