INDIANAPOLIS – Republican inaction is out of alignment with Hoosier values. This week, the Bowen Center for Public Affairs at Ball State University released preliminary results from its annual Hoosier Survey – a non-partisan policy poll of Indiana adults. The results are telling.
When it comes to reproductive healthcare, extreme Republican policies are in direct opposition to Hoosier beliefs. Nearly 60% of respondents said they believe abortion should be legal in some or all cases. Abortion care has overwhelming support in Indiana, and extreme abortion bans strip Hoosiers of their right to make these healthcare decisions.
On another policy front, over half of respondents said they believed marijuana should be legal for personal use and 32% said it should be legal for medicinal purposes. Despite clear support for legalization, Indiana Republicans refuse to pass any legislation decriminalizing marijuana, like many of our neighboring states have.
“The results from the 2024 Hoosier Survey speak volumes, but they are also unsurprising. This survey is an important reminder that Hoosiers don’t hold many of the extreme views of the Republican supermajority in Indiana. Hoosiers across the political spectrum share broad support for access to abortion care and the decriminalization of marijuana,” said Indiana Democratic Party Chair Mike Schmuhl. “Hoosiers are passionate about these issues and deserve a chance to let their voices be heard beyond a survey. Indiana lawmakers can create a ballot initiative process and give voters a chance to directly decide what policies they believe best serve Indiana. We can follow the lead of neighboring states like Ohio and put issues like marijuana legalization and abortion access in the hands of voters instead of out-of-touch politicians. It’s time to let Hoosiers be heard.”
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