Ahead of Election Day, voters share their thoughts on one of the most charged topics: abortion

The issue of abortion rights, in some ways, has illuminated the presidential race ever since Roe v. Wade ended in 2022. On Election Day it could be one of the deciding factors for voters across the Piedmont and High Country.

In downtown Yadkinville, outside of the public library, families shuffle along the street on a bright, sunny afternoon. Mackenzie Warden is among the lunch crowd looking to grab a quick bite with a friend. She's an aspiring educator and High Point University student who grew up here.

"It's always lovely to come back and be a part of a small community where everyone knows you and is cheering you on," she said. "I have a lot of family here, and I feel very connected to this place."

That familiarity among locals creates a tight-knit community. It's why Warden, who said she'll be voting for Vice President Kamala Harris, is measured in her words when asked about the subject of abortion.

"I'm a woman, and especially in a place like this, it doesn't really feel like I can talk about those issues," she said. "And it can be difficult because I'm a religious person, but I also believe that you as a person should have a right to make a decision for yourself."

Minutes away outside the Yadkinville YMCA, Clifford Robinson is waiting in his truck for his wife. He's from Wilkes County and says he'll be voting for former President Donald Trump though he doesn't care much for either party.

"I'm voting on principles you know what I'm saying," Robinson said. "I don't care for any politician — Democrat or Republican — I just think that abortion is a big thing, I mean, and I don't believe in abortion and I can't in good conscience Christian vote for anybody that believes in abortion."

Stu Epperson, who was leaving the YMCA, said he is also against abortion and will be voting for Trump, but believes care for both the child and mother should be in the conversation.

"I think people on both sides can be vitriolic and be all mad and angry and upset and yell at each other," Epperson said. "That's definitely not the approach. You know, I think we show kindness and this is a tough situation, but I really believe that there are so many paths, and there's so many paths to adoption."

Diverging local views

The overturning of Roe v. Wade stymied a predicted 'red wave' in the midterms while carrying Democrats to victory in races throughout the country. It's one of the subjects Harris is highlighting to contrast herself from Trump in the final days before the election.

But it's unclear yet just how much the topic will affect results in a battleground state like North Carolina. A recently released poll from Elon University shows that abortion comes in third in a ranking of important issues among registered voters in the state, trailing the economy and migration.

Sitting in Court Square in Graham, Brian Dehart points to several local stores, sharing how the community has grown and what it means to him.

"When I say I'm Graham, I'm Graham," Dehart said. "We come to the movies here, we eat our Chinese right over there, we get our ice cream right there. On Wednesday nights, after church, our youth group comes and gets ice cream. We hit the soda shop. If I could get a tattoo, another tattoo, it'd probably say, 'I love Graham.'"

Dehart is a local minister who grew up in the area. He said because of his faith he's against abortion, but is undecided on who he will vote for.

"Yes, there are instances when there are pregnancies that aren't wanted and things like that, but I know plenty of couples that want children, and if we could loosen up some regulations on how you can adopt a child and take care of a child," Dehart said. "I think we're not looking broad enough at the issue."

Further up the road, Dakota Marcoplos and Lea Gerni are leaving the Graham Public Library with their son. For Dakota, who said he's probably voting for Harris to oppose Trump, he sees the answer as simple.

"Pro-choice all the way," he said. "It's not anybody else's choice, but the person who's involved. And I think, you know, anybody who believes in personal freedom should completely be waving that flag."

Gerni shared similar sentiments.

"Yeah, so our family motto is, 'You do you, boo.' So I think that that's up to the individual," she said. "And we're definitely pro-choice."

Their thoughts fall in line with what trends show nationwide. According to the Pew Research Center, 63% of U.S. adults in 2024 say abortion should be legal in all or most cases, while 36% say it should be illegal.

But for some, the conversation brings complicated feelings.

A charged issue

In downtown Boone, an Espresso News barista makes coffee diligently for a lively afternoon crowd of locals and students. Elijah Davenport was one of many just outside the shop. He said he's voting for Harris because preserving democracy is important to him, but the subject of abortion elicits a mixed reaction.

"I'm real conflicted on that issue, to be honest," Davenport said. "I think it should be legal, but is it right for me personally? In some situations, yeah, but I'm real conflicted on that issue, to be honest."

Minutes away walking along Howard Street is Vivian Thompson. She's a staff member at Appalachian State University. Thompson said reproductive rights is a major concern for her this election because further restrictions could produce a chilling effect on doctors.

"When you're looking to start a family there are issues that come into play and you don't want to have OB-GYN practices just going out of business in North Carolina because they say 'it's too tough.' It's just the fear, the fear that medical professionals have, and that women trying to find good health care can't because nobody wants to practice here under those conditions."

Last year, state Republican lawmakers enacted legislation to restrict abortion to within 12 weeks of pregnancy. In-person counseling is also required at least 72 hours before the procedure is done.

Who makes the choice

In downtown Winston-Salem, cars move along Patterson Avenue in a hurry. Nearby, Jene Black is relaxing near Bailey Park on her break. She lives in Salisbury while working in Forsyth County, but is originally from Atlanta. She's among the growing number of people moving to the state.

Black said she's voting for Harris in the election and believes women should have bodily autonomy,

"Men making those decisions for women is not a good thing because they don't really know and understand what we go through," Black said. "Especially like, you know, your monthly cycle, that pain alone is enough to make somebody be sick for days. So I think it's very important that we should have our control of our own bodies."

Chris Carthen, from Burlington, was out with his wife shopping at the International Market in Greensboro. He said he's undecided if he would cast a ballot this year due to having mixed feelings about both candidates, but is starting to not believe Trump is as bad as people make him out to be.

Carthen said as a father of seven kids he doesn't agree with abortion, but he supports a woman's right to choose.

"I feel like the woman still should have a choice," he said. "If the child is a product of a rape, or, you know, those things, you shouldn't force that parent to live with that if they decided they can't live with that, because that mother has to look at that child every day for the rest of life. So who am I to say 'It's okay, deal with it, you know?' So I think they should have that right."

Jacqui Hawkins, who was out in Greensboro waiting to have lunch with her son, said women should have the final say on what happens with their bodies.

"I don't necessarily support abortion, like it's not something that I'm telling people to go out and do," she said. "But if that's the choice they make, I believe that's their choice to make."

Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 5, and polls will be open from 6:30 in the morning to 7:30 at night.