Citizens in 10 US states voted Tuesday on whether to enshrine the right to abortion in their state constitutions.
Efforts to overturn the six-week ban failed in Florida, but other states, including Missouri and Arizona, are moving ahead with state legislatures after the U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade in June 2022. provided an additional opportunity to overturn the ban passed. Stripping away the federal right to abortion.
Elsewhere, Americans voted on whether to strengthen protections in the process and make it harder to backtrack if conservatives take power. (Two similar measures were passed in New York.) And in one state, Nebraska, two competing bills asked voters to choose between enacting the existing 12-week ban or replacing it with broader abortion protections.
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 In states that vote to repeal the ban, there will be litigation and legislation before the ban is repealed.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 without Mr. Low.
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 battleground state in the presidential election, are fighting to pass a bill that would enshrine the right to 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
Colorado's bill, which would require 55% of the vote, would amend the state constitution to prevent the state from denying, interfering with, or discriminating against individuals' right to 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Florida voters rejected a bill that would have repealed the state's six-week ban by adding a right to viable abortion to the state constitution.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
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 will decide whether to overturn the state's current near-total abortion ban and establish a constitutional guarantee for a “fundamental right to reproductive freedom,” which includes abortion care until the fetus is viable. It will be.
montana
Abortion is currently legal in Montana. If passed, the bill would amend the state constitution to protect the life and health of patients until and after the fetus is viable, including the right to terminate a pregnancy. “right to exercise” will be explicitly included.
nebraska
Nebraska is the only state with two competing voting systems. If both bills pass, the bill that receives 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
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.
