Abortion Rights on the Ballot: Seven States Vote to Expand Access, Three Maintain Restrictions – The Gist

Measures to protect access to abortion they passed the test in seven states but failed in three where it was on the ballot on this election, marking a key moment in the ongoing national debate on reproductive rights.

Arizona, Colorado, New York, Maryland, Missouri, Montana and Nevada voted to protect a lady’s right to select. However, the states of Florida, South Dakota and Nebraska have decided to maintain or impose more stringent restrictions on abortion access. The results highlight a growing patchwork of abortion policies, with some states expanding access while others seek to limit or outright limit it.

This wave of ballot initiatives follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which ended federal abortion protections and left regulation up to individual states. In response, abortion rights advocates are increasingly turning to ballot initiatives, allowing voters to have a direct say on the issue and bypass legislative hurdles. This approach reflects a shift toward grassroots efforts to secure or restore access to abortion in an evolving and polarized legal landscape.

Here’s how voters took the reins on this critical issue while it was on the page voting in 10 states.

New York

New York voters expressed strong support for measures to protect abortion access by approving amendments to the state structure. One such means Proposal 1appeared on the ballot without directly mentioning abortion, however it effectively secured the right to abortion. Abortion stays legal in New York until the twenty fourth week of pregnancy.

Arizona

In Arizona, voters passed a bill that might repeal the state’s current ban on abortion after the fifteenth week of pregnancy. The move significantly expands reproductive rights, marking a fundamental shift in the abortion landscape in the state. The measure, a victory for abortion rights supporters in the presidential battleground state, establishes a “fundamental right” to abortion in the Arizona structure. It prohibits the state from restricting or prohibiting abortion before fetal viability, normally around 24 weeks of pregnancy. Until now, Arizona law prohibited abortion after the fifteenth week of pregnancy.

Colorado

Colorado voters approved a move to strengthen existing abortion rights, continuing the state’s history of supporting reproductive access. Because abortion is already legal to the point where it is possible, the amendment secures existing protections and strengthens Colorado’s position on reproductive rights. Moreover, this solution repeals the constitutional provision that previously prohibited public financing of abortion. Colorado stays without restrictions on access to abortion while pregnant.

Maryland

Maryland voters approved a constitutional amendment protecting access to abortion and affirming the right to reproductive freedom. The solution preserves existing abortion rights, including the ability to make decisions about pregnancy, and embeds these protections in the state structure. Maryland has no restrictions on abortion while pregnant, strengthening reproductive rights in the state.

Montana

Montana voters approved a measure protecting abortion access, strengthening the state’s existing reproductive rights. The amendment guarantees the right to make decisions regarding pregnancy, including abortion, up to the viability of the fetus and beyond, so as to protect the life or health of the patient. Abortion has been legal in Montana since a 1999 state Supreme Court ruling.

Nevada

Nevada voters passed a measure protecting abortion rights, ensuring the state’s legal framework continues to support reproductive access. The amendment to the Nevada state structure guarantees the right to abortion until the viability of the fetus and thereafter when it’s essential to protect the health or lifetime of the patient. Although the amendment has already been approved, it can require voter approval again in 2026 to fully amend the state structure.

Missouri

Missouri voters overturned the state’s nearly complete ban on abortion, significantly expanding access to abortion. Abortion is currently banned in Missouri, with no exceptions for rape and incest. The newly approved amendment is a fundamental change in state policy that is predicted to significantly expand access to abortion services.

Florida

Florida voters rejected a measure to enshrine abortion rights in the state structure, a setback for supporters who want to restore broader access. The proposal, which might allow abortion until viability, received 57% of the vote but fell wanting the 60% threshold required for approval. Florida currently bans most abortions after six weeks. The defeat ends a string of victories for abortion rights groups in state elections since the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.

South Dakota

South Dakota voters rejected an initiative that might have legalized abortion with provisions applicable during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. As a result, the almost complete ban on abortion, which allows for exceptions only to save the lifetime of the mother, will remain in force. The proposal, which included exceptions for rape and incest, was narrowly defeated, reflecting the divided and sophisticated position of voters.

Nebraska

Nebraska voters faced two competing votes on abortion. One, which was not adopted, sought to guarantee the right to abortion up to the viability of the fetus. The second, which passed, upheld the state’s 12-week abortion ban, allowing exceptions for sexual assault, incest and medical emergencies. If each solutions were adopted, the one which received the most votes would change into effective. Nebraska law currently allows abortions up to 12 weeks.

The results mark the end of a winning streak for abortion rights supporters, underscoring that reproductive health stays a key issue for voters. According to Press Associationin a survey of greater than 110,000 voters nationwide, a few quarter of respondents said abortion policy was the most significant think about their vote, while almost half considered it essential but not the most significant factor. Just over 1 in 10 people said it was a secondary factor.