American Support for Legal Abortions is at its Highest in Two Years

The number of Americans who support legal abortions is at its highest in two years, an Associated Press-GfK poll found.

According to the poll numbers, 58 percent of Americans agree that abortions should be legal in most or all situations. Earlier this year, the rate was at 51 percent. The increased support was seen in Democrats and Republicans. For Democrats, support increased from 69 percent to 76 percent.

For Republicans, support rose from 35 percent in the beginning of the year to 40 percent. Despite the increase, members of the GOP were still very much divided on the issue. Seven out of 10 conservative Republicans stated that they believe abortions about be illegal in most or all cases. Six out of 10 Replications who were moderate or liberal did not believe that abortions should be illegal.

Independents tended to be more evenly divided with 54 percent of them agreeing that abortions should be legal in most or all of the cases. This rate is up from the 43 percent that was polled in January.

The poll also surveyed people about their support for Planned Parenthood and found that 45 percent of Americans had a favorable opinion in regards to the organization. 30 percent did not. 25 percent of Americans stated that they did not know enough about Planned Parenthood to form an opinion.

The most recent Associated Press - GfK poll was conducted after a man shot up a Planned Parenthood clinic in Colorado, killing three people.

The poll reached 1,007 people online from Dec. 3 - Dec. 7.

Abortion is a much debated about topic in politics that will undoubtedly be addressed numerous times in the 2016 presidential election. Republican candidates have so far stated that they support restricting abortion rights while Democratic candidates are in favor of keeping these rights broad.

For more information on the poll, click here.