7 states vote to protect abortion rights, 3 keep restrictions in place

Abortion-related measures were at the forefront of Tuesday’s elections as voters in ten states cast their ballots on various initiatives. Advocates for abortion rights celebrated victories in seven of these states, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, and Nevada.

Missouri, known for having one of the strictest abortion restrictions in the country, approved an amendment that would give lawmakers the authority to regulate abortions after fetal viability, typically around 21 weeks. This amendment effectively reverses the state’s near-total ban on abortion.

In Arizona, voters approved an amendment to the state constitution that allows abortions up to the 24-week mark, enshrining a “fundamental right” to abortion before fetal viability. This amendment replaced the previous law banning abortions after 15 weeks. The issue arose due to a long-dormant 1864 law that went into effect in Arizona following the repeal of Roe v. Wade in 2022.

Other states, such as Colorado, Maryland, and Montana, also passed abortion rights amendments. Montana specifically amended its state constitution to explicitly provide a right to make decisions about one’s pregnancy, including the right to abortion.

However, not all states saw victories for abortion advocates. Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota rejected constitutional amendments that would have expanded abortion rights. Florida, in particular, faced a significant decision with Amendment 4, which aimed to overturn the Heartbeat Protection Act signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, restricting most abortions after six weeks.

The defeat of these measures marks a shift in the abortion rights landscape, with advocates claiming seven victories out of ten states. Despite the mixed results, a Fox News poll conducted earlier this year showed increasing support for legalizing abortion, with a record-high number of voters expressing support for abortion access in some form.

As the debate over abortion rights continues to evolve, the outcomes of these elections highlight the diverging opinions and policies across the country. The impact of these decisions will undoubtedly shape the future of reproductive rights in America.