Abortion and immigration were the most-searched topics on Election Day in connection with presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump, according to Google.
Google News Lab shows that abortion was the top policy issue included in searches of Clinton’s name and the number two issue included in searches of Trump’s name.
The data underscore arguments by opponents of abortion that it is a motivating issue for voters, although many 2016 polls have found abortion to be less important to voters than many other topics such as the economy, terrorism and foreign policy.
“The abortion issue has consistently been on voters’ minds this election,” Susan B. Anthony List President Marjorie Dannenfelser said. “In the days leading up to the election, abortion has been the top issue voters are searching for related to both candidates.”
Dannenfelser’s group, which seeks to elect abortion-opposing female candidates to office, said Tuesday it spent $18 million during this election cycle, garnered 19.6 million online ad impressions and sent canvassers to 1.1 million homes. The group invested in four key Senate races in Florida, North Carolina, Missouri and Ohio and in trying to re-elect Utah Rep. Mia Love.
Dannenfelser also headed a coalition of anti-abortion advocates supporting Trump. While the Republican presidential nominee has given Dannenfelser and others pause for his previous statements supporting abortion rights and his attitudes toward women, he won their applause in the final presidential debate when he slammed Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton for supporting late-term abortion rights.
Abortion was the top-searched policy issue in all the Midwestern states and some central-northern and Southern states, while immigration had the most searches in states along the East and West coasts, according to Google. The economy was the most-searched term in two states, New Mexico and Vermont.
