More than three years after the Supreme Court ended the 1973 ruling that federalized abortion, the fight for life continues. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America (SBA) and Women Speak Out PAC (WSO) have announced an $80 million campaign aimed at retaining pro-life majorities in Congress. The organizations plan to reach 10.5 million voters nationwide through canvassing, digital advertising, voter contact mail, and an early vote campaign.
SBA Pro-Life, which claims a network of over 1 million pro-life Americans, will collaborate with WSO to amplify the voices of women opposed to what they describe as extreme abortion policies. SBA President Marjorie Dannenfelser emphasized the importance of mobilizing pro-life voters, particularly in midterm elections that historically see lower turnout for the party in power. "Our mission is to fire up pro-life Americans who do not consistently vote in midterms and convince persuadable voters to reject the Democrats’ extreme all-trimester abortion agenda," she stated.
Voter turnout in midterm elections has been significantly lower than in presidential years, but recent midterms saw participation rates of 49% in 2018 and 46% in 2022, the highest in over a century, according to Pew Research Center. The challenge remains: how to motivate low-propensity voters to participate in these elections.
SBA and WSO's strategy includes making 4.5 million visits to voters' homes in key battleground states, including Iowa, Georgia, Michigan, and North Carolina, which are critical for both Senate and House races. The Cook Political Report has classified Senate elections in these states as toss-ups, with Iowa's race for a new junior senator rated as likely Republican.
The political landscape in Iowa is particularly noteworthy, as the state recently enacted a Fetal Heartbeat Law, which bans most abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat. Governor Kim Reynolds highlighted the law's impact, stating that abortions in Iowa have decreased by nearly 60% since its implementation. However, abortion access remains a contentious issue, with opponents campaigning against the law.
Since the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, some states have seen an increase in abortions, leading to what some describe as an "abortion tourism" industry. The Charlotte Lozier Institute reported over 1.1 million abortions performed within the U.S. healthcare system from July 2023 to June 2024, alongside thousands of self-managed abortions occurring outside formal healthcare.
Despite significant wins for the pro-life movement, including the closure of approximately 70 Planned Parenthood centers, voters in several states have approved constitutional amendments protecting abortion rights. Recent elections in Pennsylvania further solidified pro-abortion protections, illustrating the ongoing challenges faced by pro-life advocates.
SBA and WSO are focusing their efforts on engaging pro-life voters who typically do not participate in midterm elections, as well as persuadable voters. A CNN poll indicated that Donald Trump secured 91% of the pro-life vote in 2024, suggesting that even a small percentage of pro-life voters staying home could impact election outcomes.
In the 2024 election cycle, SBA Pro-Life America invested $92 million in voter outreach, successfully reaching over 10 million voters, including more than 4 million home visits in battleground states. The organization aims to replicate this success in the upcoming midterms, emphasizing the need for pro-life voters to mobilize effectively to influence the political landscape.
Why it matters
- Referenced datasets and surveys are correlational unless stated otherwise.
- Legal or policy outcomes depend on hearings, rulemaking, and potential court challenges.
- SBA and WSO's $80 million campaign aims to secure pro-life majorities in Congress ahead of the 2026 midterms, highlighting the ongoing abortion debate.
- The campaign targets 10.5 million voters, focusing on mobilizing low-turnout pro-life voters in key battleground states critical for Senate and House races.
- Recent midterm elections have seen increased voter participation, making it crucial for pro-life advocates to engage voters who typically abstain from these elections.
What’s next
- SBA and WSO plan 4.5 million home visits in battleground states like Iowa and Georgia to boost pro-life voter turnout before the midterms.
- Voter engagement efforts will intensify as the 2026 midterm elections approach, with a focus on persuading undecided voters against pro-abortion policies.