Poll: Tennessee Abortion Vote 'Too Close To Call'

A recent poll indicates that more Tennesseans support an upcoming amendment on abortion rather than oppose it.

According to The Tennessean, a poll recently taken by Middle Tennessee State University found that 39 percent of the state's voters support an amendment that would allow lawmakers to determine possible restrictions on abortion in the state. The poll adds that 32 percent of Tennessee voters oppose the upcoming measure, known as Amendment 1.

The Tennessean reports that as a vote on the hot-button abortion measure looms in the near future, many Tennessean voters remain uncertain on their position regarding the amendment. Another 15 percent have said they are undecided about the measure.

Those at Middle Tennessee State University [MTSU] who oversaw the recent poll say it's "too close to call."

"For many people, the biggest surprises in this part of our poll probably will be just how close this race is and how important the relatively large number of still undecided voters are," Ken Blake, director of the MTSU poll, told The Tennessean.

According to WREG-TV, Amendment 1 reads: "Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of an abortion."

"The people retain the right through their elected state representatives and state senators to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or when necessary to save the life of the mother."

Several clergy members in the state have supported the upcoming amendment, and encouraged others to vote "Yes" as well.

"If this amendment passes, there is a chance abortions are going to be reduced in this state, and that is worth fighting for," Brady Cooper, pastor of New Vision Baptist Church in Murfreesboro, told the Wall Street Journal.