The political landscape surrounding abortion rights in the United States remains contentious following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade two years ago. Currently, 13 states enforce strict abortion bans with minimal exceptions, while four states impose bans at six weeks and three others at 12 or 15 weeks. Most of these restrictions are concentrated in the Deep South, including pivotal swing states like Georgia and North Carolina.

Vice President Kamala Harris has emerged as a prominent advocate for abortion rights within the Biden administration. She aims to restore the federal right to abortion, protect access until fetal viability (around 23 to 24 weeks), and support the elimination of the filibuster to facilitate federal protections for abortion. However, analysts suggest that Harris may struggle to secure the necessary Senate votes to advance such legislation. In a recent town hall, she emphasized that the government should not dictate personal decisions regarding abortion, a message aimed at resonating with Latino voters in key swing states.

In contrast, former President Donald Trump's stance on abortion has evolved since his 2016 campaign, where he advocated for a complete ban and punishment for women seeking abortions. Currently, he opposes a national 15-week abortion ban and supports states' rights to regulate abortion access. Trump has also indicated a willingness to restrict access to abortion pills and has backed a nationwide abortion ban proposed by Project 2025, which includes many former Trump administration officials.

The issue of in vitro fertilization (IVF) has also gained attention, particularly following a controversial Alabama Supreme Court ruling that classified frozen embryos as children. Harris supports a Senate bill aimed at protecting IVF access, while Trump has expressed opposition to limiting IVF but has not detailed how he would implement comprehensive coverage for it.

As the election approaches, abortion rights are expected to be a pivotal issue for voters. Recent polls indicate that 45% of voters consider abortion a decisive factor in their voting decisions, with referendums on abortion rights set to appear on ballots in ten states this fall, including critical battlegrounds like Arizona and Nevada. The ongoing debates and legislative efforts surrounding reproductive rights will likely shape the political landscape in the upcoming election cycle.