In the years since the federal abortion right was struck down by the Supreme Court’s conservative majority in 2022, no measures to protect abortion (or reject new restrictions) have lost at the ballot box. The winning streak ended on Tuesday Amendment 4which will sanctify the right to access abortion Floridaand achieving access across the South fell just short of the 60 percent threshold. For now, Florida’s six-week abortion ban will remain in effect.

A similar effort south dakota It was overwhelmingly rejected by voters: Almost 60 percent voted against the proposal to grant statewide abortion rights. Currently, abortion is completely banned in the state. And in NebraskaIn the election that saw dueling measures placed on the ballot, one restoring the right to abortion and the other continuing the current 12-week ban, voters opted to keep the current ban.

But in seven other states where abortion is on the ballot, voters expanded protections for care. The results of these races will have huge consequences for millions of women living in these states and neighboring regions. MissouriWhere voters overturned a complete ban on abortion.

What does the ballot measure propose? Proposal 139 It would amend the state constitution to recognize that Arizonans have the fundamental right to an abortion prior to fetus viability. Following viability, the law would protect abortion “to preserve the life or health” of the pregnant person. The amendment would also ban laws aimed at punishing people who help another person get an abortion.

Now what is the law? Abortion is currently illegal in Arizona after 15 weeks. The state requires a 24-hour waiting period for an abortion and a medically unnecessary ultrasound. other restrictions. Earlier this year, the state’s conservative Supreme Court majority allowed an even more restrictive ban — a complete ban on abortion in 1864 — to take effect. The Republican-controlled Legislature only repealed the ban under great public pressure — after twice initially refusing to consider doing so.

Conclusion: Proposal 139 accepted61.7 percent of voters are in favor, only 38.3 percent are against.

What does the ballot measure propose? Amendment 79 It would amend the Colorado Constitution to recognize the “right to abortion” and prohibit state or local governments from “denying, obstructing, or discriminating against the exercise of this right.” This would also allow public insurance plans to cover abortions.

Now what is the law? Abortion is currently legal in Colorado, but there is an existing ban on Medicaid coverage of abortion. Minors are also required to obtain parental permission before having an abortion.

Conclusion: Amendment 79 passedColorado is voting to protect access to abortion through the state constitution and repeal a four-decade-old ban on using public money for abortions. When the Associated Press announced it, 60.9 percent of the votes were in favor.

Florida

What does the ballot measure propose? Amendment 4 proposes adding language to the Florida Constitution that would ensure that the state “shall not prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion prior to viability or when necessary to preserve the health of the patient.” The measure also makes clear that it would do nothing to restrict the state’s ability to require parental notification prior to abortion.

Now what is the law? Florida currently prohibits abortion at six weeks’ gestation only up to 15 weeks, except for rape, incest, and threats to a pregnant person’s health. There are a number of additional restrictions on the books: The state requires in-person counseling before an abortion, a 24-hour waiting period, and medically unnecessary ultrasounds. Minors must notify their parents and obtain permission before terminating the pregnancy. Telemedicine abortion care and mail-in abortion pills are prohibited; The abortion pill can only be given in person. Only doctors are allowed to perform abortions, and the state also has a number of targeted restrictions on abortion providers, or TRAP laws, on the books.

Conclusion: Change 4 failedDespite receiving support from 57 percent of voters. That’s because ballot measures in Florida require 60 percent support to pass, and also because Gov. Ron DeSantis is waging an unprecedented state-sponsored campaign to defeat the measure.

What does the ballot measure propose? Question 1 Proposes amending the state constitution to guarantee reproductive freedom for Marylanders; this includes “the ability to make and carry out decisions to prevent, maintain, or terminate one’s own pregnancy.”

Now what is the law? In Maryland, abortion is legal up to the point of viability of the fetus, and beyond that point if there is a fetal anomaly or if continuing the pregnancy would endanger the life or health of the pregnant person. Minors are required to inform their parents or guardians before an abortion.

Conclusion: Question 1 was approved by Maryland voters by an overwhelming margin, with more than 70 percent of voters in the state voting in favor. The result far exceeded the 50 percent majority needed to pass.

Missouri

What does the ballot measure propose? Amendment 3 The Missouri Constitution would recognize a fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including “the right to make and implement decisions regarding all matters relating to reproductive health care, including, but not limited to, prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion.” recommends changing it accordingly. care, abortion care and respectful birth conditions. Under the amendment, state lawmakers would be allowed to regulate abortions after the end of life, but would be barred from enacting laws that “deny, delay, or restrict” care at any point if the pregnant person’s physical or mental health or life would be adversely affected. in danger.

Now what is the law? Missouri has one of the most restrictive bans on abortion anywhere in the country. Abortion is prohibited at all stages of pregnancy, without exception. Instead of an exception, the law says anyone sued or charged for performing an abortion can present an “affirmative defense” that the abortion in question was due to a “medical emergency” and that intervention was necessary to prevent death or financial loss. and irreversible bodily harm.

Conclusion: Amendment 3 passedMissouri voted to include abortion in the state constitution, removing nearly all bans in the state. When the Associated Press called the race he won 54 percent to 46 percent.

What does the ballot measure propose? The proposal calls for amending the Montana Constitution to guarantee the right to “make and implement decisions regarding one’s own pregnancy, including the right to abortion” with respect to the viability of the fetus. The state will have the authority to regulate abortions after viability, except for abortions that are necessary “to preserve the life or health of the pregnant patient.”

Now what is the law? Abortion is currently prohibited after fetus viability, that is, between weeks 24 and 26 of pregnancy, and Montana has a parental notification law.

Conclusion: Voters approved Amendment 128More than 57 percent voted in favor of protection.

Nebraska

What does the ballot measure propose? There are dueling measures on the ballot in Nebraska. Initiative 434The legislation, backed by anti-abortion groups, would essentially preserve the current abortion ban in the state constitution and ban abortions after the first trimester except in cases of rape, incest or medical emergencies. Initiative 439On the other hand, the Nebraska Constitution will be amended to establish the “fundamental right to abortion up to the viability of the fetus” and, if necessary, to protect the life or health of the pregnant person after that point.

Now what is the law? In Nebraska, abortion is currently prohibited after 12 weeks and there is a 24-hour waiting period. Telemedicine abortion is also prohibited, and minors are required to obtain parental permission before having an abortion. other restrictions.

Conclusion: Initiative 434The law, which aims to continue the current ban, was approved by 55 percent of voters. Initiative 439The law that would have created a constitutional right to access abortion fell short; 48 percent of voters supported the measure and 51 percent voted against it.

What does the ballot measure propose? Question 6 Proposes amending the Nevada Constitution to recognize the right to abortion through viability of the fetus; meanwhile, it acknowledges that the state has the authority to regulate abortion from this point on; except when the health care provider deems it necessary to “protect the life or health of the pregnant woman.” sick.”

Now what is the law? Currently, abortion is illegal in Nevada after 24 weeks.

Conclusion: A majority of voters supported Question 6. 63 percent support.

What does the ballot measure propose? Offer 1If passed, it would amend New York’s equal protection law to state that New Yorkers cannot be denied rights based on their sex, “including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive health services.” and autonomy.” (The law already protects against discrimination based on “race, colour, creed or religion.”)

Now what is the law? Abortion is currently banned in New York at 24 weeks of gestation, or the point at which the fetus is viable.

Conclusion: Proposition 1 was approved by voters by a wide margin, with more than two-thirds of New York voters voting in favor.

south dakota

What does the ballot measure propose? Amendment G It would ban the state government from regulating abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy, allow regulations “reasonably related to the physical health of the pregnant woman” in the second trimester, and regulate or prohibit abortion in the third trimester except when necessary “for her protection.” life and health of pregnant woman.

Now what is the law? Abortion is currently prohibited in South Dakota at all stages of pregnancy. There is one exception: if an abortion is necessary to save the life of a pregnant person.

Conclusion: Amendment G It was defeated as almost 60 percent of voters voted against the proposal.