The Variable “Catholic” Influence on US Presidential and Abortion Politics

We demonstrate that, in comparison to religious groups showing reliable, contemporary voting tendencies (e.g., white evangelical Protestants Republican, Jews and Muslims Democratic), Roman Catholics show far less consistency supporting one major party over the other. After reviewing relevant literature Catholic public political preferences behavior, we delve into a basic overview of history Church United States. then analyze historical periods when impact church seems consequential, such as effects “Catholic vote”. summarize scholarship opinion surveys concerning views behavior last several decades, focusing on attitudes toward abortion wake Dobbs decision. highlight differences similarities between rank-and-file clergy hierarchy, some which are well known religion politics literature. In sum, find that unlike past or more contemporaneous takes Catholicism policy, there is no longer (if ever was) single, identifiable impact, even vote remains demographic for politicians compete.