In a six-month period last year, states across the South and Midwest passed 58 abortion restrictions, including criminalizing abortion as early as six weeks into a pregnancy, a time before many
women are aware they are pregnant. For the left, newly awakened in the Trump era, a strong conservative majority on the court could end the constitutional right to an abortion, which for activists could be the most painful consequence of an administration they believe has disparaged and disempowered women.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the Susan B. Anthony List, an anti-abortion political group, said the opportunity felt like the election of 2016 again, when the Court and abortion became paramount issues and helped win over conservatives who had misgivings. Four years ago, a majority of those who backed Mr. Trump said that Supreme Court appointments were the most important factor in their vote, according to exit polls.
“The abortion issue, once it is raised, it really sets the base on fire,” said Ms. Dannenfelser. “This being hoisted up the flagpole means we don’t have to dig out the argument and help them remember it.”
Less than a day after Justice Ginsburg’s death, the Susan B. Anthony List had added an additional $500,000 to its spending on grass roots mobilization specifically concerning the court, on top of the $52 million it had already allocated for the election cycle. The group has made door-knocking in Arizona, Florida, and North Carolina a priority; earlier this month, it increased its voter outreach target in battleground states to 7 million people from 4 million. Concerned Women for America, which also opposes abortion rights, began planning to bring local state leaders to Washington to meet with senators who are waffling on whether or not to confirm a justice this close to an election.
