Tim Tai, Senior Photographer

Deciding who to vote for in the upcoming presidential election, Raleigh Adams DIV ’26 considered many factors stemming from her commitment to the right to life.

“It definitely has been a difficult decision, especially as a Catholic, it’s a question of, do you vote for who you might more morally align with? Or do you kind of submit to two-party politics?” said Adams. “There were a lot of factors, not only the usual, who do I agree with from a policy standpoint, but how can I go to bed at night feeling good about this.”

Adams is the social media director of Choose Life at Yale, or CLAY, which aims to engage students of all backgrounds in discussions about the right to life. Recently, the organization hosted its annual conference, Vita et Veritas, bringing together a variety of speakers to discuss pro-life issues.

Adams described the right to life as the “bedrock” of her beliefs. Yet, she also recognized that for many students there is nuance involved in deciding how to match their beliefs to politicians’ platforms. She mentioned that CLAY tries to inform others but not sway people politically.

In 2022, the Supreme Court ruled in Dobbs v. Jackson’s Women’s Health Organization that abortion was not a constitutional right, eliminating nearly 50 years of legal precedent. Former President Donald Trump appointed three Supreme Court justices during his time as president and has largely taken credit for the ruling, although he said he would veto a national abortion ban. In her presidential campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris has been vocal about restoring the protections provided by Roe v. Wade. 

Stephen McNulty ’25, who helps lead the LGBTQ ministry at Saint Thomas More Catholic Chapel and Center at Yale, also wants to see a culture of promoting life with universal healthcare and paid family leave. However, he thinks that abortion bans are ineffective and “maximalist.” 

“As a pragmatic position, one can affirm the dignity of human life in the womb and not think that the types of bans that have been passed since the Dobbs decision are politically appropriate or good policy,” McNulty said.

Furthermore, McNulty believes that a consistent ethic of life would support the dignity of migrants, equality of LGBTQ+ people and the humanity of the poor. He is voting for Harris this November because he believes her presidency will best advance those principles. 

Morgan Vannell ’27, also involved with CLAY, said that his personal conviction in supporting policy that affirms “the dignity of human life” influences his opinions on immigration, economic policy and foreign affairs. 

“The first right that a human has is life, because without life, you can’t have any other rights. Everything else flows from that,” Vannell said, “All [other] political decisions, you know, are affected by my pro-life position.” 

Vannell has not voted yet. But he understands Harris to be “very vocally pro-abortion,” while vice presidential candidate JD Vance LAW ’13 presents himself to be pro-life. 

He added that he has found it difficult to judge candidates based on their character and instead has mostly relied on their “rhetoric” to judge how the potential presidencies of Harris and Trump may align with his personal beliefs. 

Emma Ventresca ’26, president of CLAY, echoed Adams’ view that CLAY’s work is driven by its pro-life stance instead of siding with one political party over another. 

“Choose Life at Yale invites those of all backgrounds to discuss the harms of abortion and recognize that, no matter which side of the political fence they fall on, human life is priceless,” Ventresca wrote to the News.  

Ventresca noted protecting infant life in the womb as a priority, in addition to providing better healthcare for pregnant and parenting women. She hopes those voting in the election at all levels will vote for candidates that “honor the beautiful gift of human life.”

Stephanie Alvarado Cortes ’27 supports pro-choice policies for others but would not have an abortion herself. 

“My faith drives me to be pro-choice, to have empathy for the situations of others. But also not making [pro-life people] out to be evil, because I know a lot of them do have the best intentions in mind,” Alvarado Cortes said.

Though she is voting for the Democratic ticket this November, she thinks that Harris is the “lesser of two evils” compared to Trump.

Adams emphasized that everyone is trying to make the most informed and best decision they can. 

“No one is out to hurt other people, or no one is out to actively ruin this country, but we’re all aiming at the good, and what we think is best. But we might disagree on how to get there, or what that looks like,” said Adams. 

Alvarado Cortes affirmed that ultimately, she believes there is not a real divide among Catholic Yalies. At the end of the day, “we are driven by love,” she said.

Choose Life at Yale was formed in 2003.

Correction, Oct. 30: The article has been corrected to include Trump’s statement on the national abortion ban. 

ADA PERLMAN
Ada Perlman covers religious life at Yale. She is a sophomore in Pierson College.
TINA LI