Republican Vice President and Presidential nominees JD Vance and Donald Trump (AP and Malaysia Today via Creative Commons License 4.0).
By James S. Bridgeforth, Ph.D.
As America inches toward the 2024 presidential election, a political storm is brewing on an issue that could redefine the trajectory of our country—women’s rights, and, at the forefront, the right to choose.
This isn’t just about policy. It’s a test of America’s soul, a reckoning with our values. In the aftermath of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade, the nation is at a crossroads, with abortion rights at the center of what many see as a turning point in American democracy.
Polls paint a clear picture: 63% of Americans now support a woman’s right to an abortion, up significantly in recent years. This majority transcends traditional political divisions, cutting across party lines, religions and demographics.
The growing support suggests a transformation in the national psyche, a call for autonomy, dignity, and equal rights that resonates deeply with women—and the men who stand alongside them. And yet, for many in the Republican Party, abortion remains a line in the sand, defended staunchly by evangelicals and traditional conservatives who view it as a moral imperative.
But at what cost?
The numbers alone tell a compelling story. Women’s rights to bodily autonomy aren’t just an issue of personal choice; they are an issue of leadership, of representation, of the very structure of our democracy.
Women voters made up nearly 10 million more votes than men in the last presidential election. This is not a population any party can afford to ignore.
And while the GOP insists on viewing abortion through the lens of religious conviction, they are gambling with the support of a growing number of Americans who see abortion not as a moral misstep but as a fundamental right.
In a poll taken just weeks before the election, women are choosing Kamala Harris over Donald Trump by a margin that might prove insurmountable.
The issue of reproductive rights has been cemented as the top concern for many women, an issue that transcends the economy, national security and even the culture wars that so often dominate American politics.
This isn’t surprising; the right to choose represents much more than the choice itself. It is a symbol of self-determination, equality and respect—principles that the Republican Party’s stance threatens to strip away.
And the impact reaches far beyond policy papers and political sound bites.
Women across the country are galvanized, not just by the fight for reproductive rights but by the chance to stand as equal participants in American democracy. They see the dismantling of Roe not as an isolated decision but as an assault on their autonomy and freedom—a denial of their right to make decisions about their own lives.
This isn’t a red or blue issue; it’s a human issue.
The Republican Party, however, clings to its traditional base, particularly among evangelical voters, with unwavering dedication to the pro-life platform. This coalition once solidified their victories; in 2016, 80% of white evangelicals voted for Trump, a figure that remained robust in 2020. But the party now faces a reckoning with a new political reality—a populace more attuned to issues of gender equality and individual freedom than ever before.
In attempting to turn back the clock, the GOP risks alienating a massive bloc of voters who are tired of being sidelined.
Today’s voters are increasingly diverse, well-informed and driven by a desire for a more inclusive America. This is particularly true among young women who grew up with Roe as a given, who see the right to choose as non-negotiable, and who are mobilized like never before. For the first time, young women are outpacing men in voter turnout, and they’re voting on their convictions, unwilling to compromise on issues that directly affect their bodies and futures.
To ignore these voters is to ignore the very force that can change the face of American politics.
Women are not only voters—they are leaders, thinkers, and activists, poised to shape policies, serve in public office and advocate for change. The GOP’s assault on abortion rights is more than a political misstep; it’s a repudiation of women’s role in our nation. And it could cost them the presidency, the Senate, and, in time, perhaps even their hold on the judiciary.
Imagine an America where women not only participate in democracy but lead it. Imagine a Congress where reproductive rights are not in question, where the voices of women are not just heard but respected.
The abortion debate has set this vision in motion. With a single-minded focus on restricting rights, Republicans may have underestimated the strength and determination of American women. They are fighting for something far greater than any election—they are fighting for the promise of equal partnership in the nation’s future.
As we look to November, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
Abortion may be the Republican Party’s final stand, but it could very well be the issue that drives women to the polls in numbers that reshape our political landscape. This is more than a political loss; it is a seismic shift, a chance for America to place women at the center of our leadership, our laws and our values.
This November, we have an opportunity to listen—to recognize the profound ways in which women have shaped, and will continue to shape, the future of this country.
To those who still question the strength of women’s voices, remember: they’re not just voting—they’re leading.
And in 2024, America will be listening.
Bridgeforth enjoys writing as a political columnist who is a passionate advocate for justice and equality whose academic journey reflects a profound commitment to these ideals. With a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from Catawba College, Bridgeforth began his quest to understand and address systemic inequalities. He furthered his expertise with a master’s degree in Higher Education Administration from The University of Massachusetts-Amherst, followed by a Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration and Institutional Research from The University of Southern Mississippi.
Beyond his impressive academic credentials, Bridgeforth is deeply involved in organizations dedicated to empowerment and community service, including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. and 100 Black Men of America. His columns provide insightful commentary on equal opportunity, social justice, economic equity, and higher education, driven by a sincere desire to amplify voices and champion the causes of those often marginalized.
Through his writing, Bridgeforth brings a blend of scholarly rigor and heartfelt advocacy, aiming to inspire change and foster a more just society for all.
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