A survey released Wednesday found the majorities of Latino voters opposed politicians interfering in personal, private decisions about abortion, affirmed that they would offer support to a close friend or family member who had an abortion, and are willing to disagree with church leaders on abortion.

The poll was conducted on behalf of the National Latina Institute for Reproductive Health and the Reproductive Health Technologies Project. "This is a watershed moment for the Latina/o community as it provides, for the first time, hard data which defies long held stereotypes about Latina/os and reproductive health," Jessica González-Rojas, Executive Director of NLIRH, said in a statement. "This poll underscores the important role of Latino/a’s in the national debate about access to reproductive health care."

Key findings from the poll:

• A strong majority of Latino registered voters – 74 percent – agree that a woman has a right to make her own personal, private decisions about abortion without politicians interfering. More than half (57 percent) strongly agrees with the statement. Fewer than one in five Latino voters disagree (18 percent).
• Nearly three in four Latino registered voters (73 percent) agree that we should not judge someone who feels they are not ready to be a parent. More than half (57 percent) strongly agrees with this statement.
• Two-thirds of Latino voters (67 percent) say they would give support to a close friend or family member who had an abortion. More than four in ten (43 percent) say they would provide a lot of support. A minority (23 percent) says they would not feel comfortable offering support.
• Most Latino voters seem willing to disagree with church leaders on the legality of abortion. Nearly seven in ten (68 percent) agree with the statement "even though church leaders take a position against abortion, when it comes to the law, I believe it should remain legal."
   
• Finally, a majority of Latino voters agree that money should not determine access to abortion. Sixty-one percent agree that the amount of money a woman has or does not have should not determine whether she could have an abortion when she needs one.

The survey that was conducted by the Lake Research Partners can be found at latinainstitute.org, along with the poll methodology.