Citizens in 10 US states voted Tuesday on whether to enshrine the right to abortion in their state constitutions.
In a stunning victory, Missouri passed an amendment to its state constitution to protect abortion rights. This would make the state the first to overturn a near-total abortion ban since Roe v. Wade.
Colorado, New York, and Maryland also passed measures to amend their state constitutions to protect abortion rights and strengthen blue states’ status as abortion havens. But efforts to lift the six-week ban in Florida failed.
By Tuesday, seven states had held abortion-related referendums, with abortion rights supporters winning in every state before Florida broke the streak. The outcome of Tuesday’s action is not final. In states that vote to repeal the ban, there will be litigation and legislation before the ban is repealed. But taken together, the results will show how serious the problem remains even after two years in Mr. Low’s absence.
Results have started coming in with the announcement from the state of Florida, but it could take several days for all votes to be fully counted.
arizona
Abortion rights advocates in Arizona, a key presidential battleground state, are fighting to pass a bill that would enshrine the right to an abortion up to the life of the fetus (about 24 weeks) in the state constitution. Abortions after 15 weeks are currently prohibited in the state.
Colorado voters passed an amendment to the state constitution that prevents the state from denying, interfering with, or discriminating against individuals’ right to abortion. The amendment would also repeal a provision in the state constitution that prohibits public funding of abortion. Currently, there are no gestational age restrictions on abortion rights in the state.
Florida voters rejected a bill that would have repealed the state’s six-week ban by adding a right to viable abortion to the state constitution. Passage required 60% of the vote, the highest threshold on the ballot.
Maryland voters approve an amendment to the state constitution affirming an individual’s “right to reproductive freedom, including, but not limited to, the ability to make and implement decisions to prevent, continue, or terminate pregnancy.” did. Currently, there are no gestational age restrictions on abortion rights in the state.
missouri
Voters voted to overturn the state’s current near-total abortion ban and establish a constitutional guarantee for a “fundamental right to reproductive freedom,” including abortion care until the fetus is viable. .
montana
Abortion is currently legal in Montana. If passed, this bill would amend the state constitution to protect the life and health of patients until and after the fetus is viable by providing “the right to make and carry out decisions regarding one’s own pregnancy, including the right to an abortion.” ‘ will be explicitly included.
nebraska
Nebraska is the only state with two competing voting systems. If both bills pass, the bill with the most votes will go into effect.
The first would enshrine the right to abortion until viability in the state constitution.
The second provides for the current 12-week ban.
nevada
Nevada’s measure would amend the state constitution to protect the right to an abortion until or after the patient’s health or life may be at risk.
New York voters expanded the state’s anti-discrimination laws by adding protections against discrimination based on “gender, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive health,” among other things. approved measures to do so. . Although it does not explicitly mention abortion, supporters argue that language related to pregnancy includes protections for abortion. In New York, abortion is protected until the fetus is viable.
south dakota
South Dakota’s measure is less comprehensive than other abortion rights measures because it only protects the right to an abortion during the first trimester of pregnancy. The measure will appear on the ballot, but there will be a court battle over the validity of the signatures collected for the measure. Depending on the outcome of the court case, the bill and the votes cast for it could be invalidated.
