Abortion issue to the fore in American presidential race

Ms Ginsburg’s death so close to polling day, coupled with President Donald Trump’s political imperative to energise social conservatives in key states, urgently provided a new frame for Mr Trump’s case for a second term. And it has animated supporters of abortion rights at least as much.

If Mr Trump is able to install his nominee in that seat, both sides agree there is a better chance than ever that Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision established a nationwide right to abortion, could be overturned or gutted.

“We have been apprehensive for years, but this is more worrisome — this is a seismic shift,” said Jennifer Dalven, director of the American Civil Liberties Union’s Reproductive Freedom Project.

During his 2016 campaign, Mr Trump, who had previously expressed unqualified support for abortion rights, won over sceptical anti-abortion leaders with multiple pledges to combat abortion, including choosing Supreme Court justices open to dismantling Roe v. Wade.

Now, with Mr Trump hoping to fill a vacancy for the third time and give the nine-member court six conservative justices, that pledge has new import.

“It is at least conceivable for the first time that we have a majority that would overturn Roe, and the battle would return to the states,” said Andrew Bath, executive vice president of the Thomas More Society, a conservative public interest law firm.

Mr Trump has urged the Senate to move quickly, and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, said there will be a vote on Mr Trump’s nominee.