Abortion policy, law expert can comment on voters weighing in on issue

LAWRENCE — As polls open across the country on Election Day, abortion remains a central issue for candidates in multiple states across the United States. Both presidential candidates have staked out positions on the issue, and 10 states have measures on the ballot pertaining to abortion access.

Alesha Doan, professor of public affairs & administration and of women, gender & sexuality studies at the University of Kansas, is available to speak with media about abortion and the 2024 election, both as results come in and in the aftermath of voters' decisions. She can discuss the topic in terms of the presidential election and candidates’ position on the matter, as well as the overturning of Roe v. Wade by the Supreme Court, which ended abortion access across the nation. Doan can also speak to ballot initiatives in New York, Maryland, Florida, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Montana, Colorado, Arizona and Nevada.

“The political fallout from the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs has taken center stage this election. Citizens throughout the country will be voting to determine who gets access to abortion and reproductive health care and whether state legislators should have a role in interfering in people’s health care decisions,” she said.

Doan has conducted research and written on abortion policy and law extensively, including journal publications and the books “Abortion Regret: The New Attack on Reproductive Freedom,” “The Politics of Virginity: Abstinence in Sex Education” and “Opposition and Intimidation: The Abortion Wars and Strategies of Political Harassment.” She can speak about differences in state initiatives, including whether they seek to expand or limit abortion rights and access, as well as previous ballot initiatives that have been through election cycles since the overturning of Roe v. Wade.

To schedule an interview, contact Mike Krings at 785-864-8860 or mkrings@ku.edu.