After a high point in 2009 where more people identified as pro-life, the public opinion on abortion rights has switched back, with more people once more identifying as pro-choice.  But, as it has been in the past, the divide is still very close to even.

Via Gallup:

Americans are closely divided between those calling themselves “pro-choice” and those who are “pro-life,” now 49% and 45%, respectively, in Gallup’s 2011 update on U.S. abortion attitudes. This is similar to a year ago, when 45% were “pro-choice” and 47% “pro-life.” However, it is the first time since 2008 that the “pro-choice” position has had the numerical advantage on this Gallup trend.

So what has likely caused this shift in the public perception of abortion?  No doubt it’s the overreaching of the anti-abortion movement in the past year, from attempting to force women who are raped to carry their attacker’s child to forcing mandatory counseling, ultrasounds and wait periods, to anti-child positions like pulling family planning and prenatal care from low income women.