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What would a 15-week abortion ban mean in Virginia? A look through the data

According to data from the CDC, the vast majority of women in the U.S. who have abortions, get them within 13 weeks of conception.

NORFOLK, Va. — Virginia is just days away from an election that could hold big consequences.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin has made it clear, he wants to implement a 15-week abortion ban with exceptions if Republicans take control of the Senate and maintain power in the House.

You’ve seen the ads and heard from Republican House and Senate Candidates on 13News Now about where they stand on abortion.

"I’m going to vote for 15 weeks because that's what I promised people," Danny Diggs, Republican candidate for the 24th State Senate District said, in an interview.

RELATED: Sen. Monty Mason, retired sheriff Danny Diggs face off in debate for Virginia's 24th District race

Delegate Emily Brewer, Republican candidate for State Senate District 17 echoed that in a separate interview.

"I stood in support of the Governor’s, I think, common sense 15-week limitation with exceptions."

RELATED: Virginia's 17th Senate District race has 2 sitting delegates battling it out to represent their hometowns

That campaign stance was born out of Younkin’s push for Virginia to ban abortions after 15 weeks with exceptions in the case of rape, incest or if the mother’s life is in jeopardy. It's something he has pushed to do since he was first elected.

"I think we can come together around a 15-week bill. And that's what I have been very clear about. I think we should continue to work on that," Youngkin said in an interview back in May.

As Republicans attempt to flip control of the Senate and keep their control in the House, let’s take a look at what impact a 15-week abortion ban could actually have.

According to the CDC in 2020, just over 93% of abortions were performed at 13 weeks or under in the U.S.

5.8% happened between 14 to 20 weeks and less than 1% were performed at 21 weeks or more.

Meaning just over 6% of abortions happen after 13 weeks.

"If you listen to most of the GOP candidates they point out something that’s true, which is most abortions are done long before 15 weeks," said Political Analyst Leslie Caughell with Virginia Wesleyan University.

Pregnancy at 15 weeks, or about three months, typically means the fetus is about the size of an apple. Their faces are forming and they begin to hear.

Caughell said GOP candidates seem to be falling in line with what Youngkin is proposing because it’s viewed as a "middle ground" for moderates. Caughell said based on the results of this election cycle, it could happen.

"If Republicans control both chambers, I think you would absolutely see that," Caughell said. 

However, she said many Democrats are afraid that what happened in places like North Carolina could happen here, with Republicans gaining power and then pushing to go farther.

"They’re also pointing out that in a lot of states, the GOP has gone further when given the opportunity," she said. "There’s a real fear that there’s going to be that bait and switch."

According to multiple surveys taken during this election cycle, abortion is high on the list of importance for voters, in some cases taking the top two spot. A recent Gallup survey also said nearly 70% of Americans believe abortion should be legal during the first three months of pregnancy.

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