NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The new Vanderbilt Poll found a growing approval rating of the Tennessee General Assembly, despite Tennesseans’ views on key issues, including abortion exceptions, gun reform, and recreational cannabis use, often contradicting the actions taken by lawmakers.
“Many of the actions in the state legislature are inconsistent with what the public wants, even just among Republicans,” John Geer , a political science professor at Vanderbilt University and the co-director of the Vanderbilt Poll said. “There’s a disconnect between the actions of our leaders and the preferences of the public.”
According to the poll, 53% of Tennesseans surveyed consider themselves pro-choice, up five points from 2022. In addition, 82% of those polled support abortion exceptions in cases of rape, and 81% support abortion exceptions in cases of incest.
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However, the Tennessee Republican supermajority has yet to pass legislation allowing abortion exceptions for rape and incest.