The 2024 election gave voters in 10 states the chance to vote directly on abortion, and with the outcomes now in, we are able to affirm that almost all of pro-abortion measures have handed. It’s a glimmer of excellent information in an election cycle that many noticed as a referendum on reproductive rights — amongst many different points — and that went decisively the way in which of Donald Trump, the former president who made potential the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade.
Trump’s win represents a “lethal risk” to reproductive well being and justice within the US, Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights, mentioned in a press release offered to SheKnows. The primary Trump administration introduced down the federal proper to abortion and kicked off a domino impact of states outlawing it, which led to OB/GYNs leaving these states out of worry of authorized retribution and created maternal care deserts throughout “huge swaths of the South and Midwest,” Northup mentioned. A second Trump administration won’t solely “compound these harms,” she continued, however add to them with insurance policies like ending the supply of medication abortion by mail.
That’s why it’s much more vital for abortion to be protected on the state stage, and passing poll measures like those beneath is the place it begins. Right here’s what to find out about abortion’s authorized standing in these states now.
Arizona
Abortion standing: Now authorized till fetal viability
Arizona’s near-total abortion ban has been overturned by the Arizona Abortion Access Act, which passed 61 % to 38 %. The ban, which went into impact in April, said that medical doctors may very well be criminalized for offering or aiding in an abortion. With the passing of Prop 139, voters have agreed that each individual has the appropriate to get an abortion earlier than fetal viability (aka the purpose when a fetus can survive exterior the uterus), which is often round 24 weeks.
Colorado
Abortion standing: Authorized, now protected below the state structure
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Abortion was already authorized in Colorado, however voters have now passed Amendment 79 (61 % to 38 %) so as to add the appropriate to the state structure and be certain that utilizing public funds for abortion is allowed. The modification additionally overrides a decades-old measure that banned medical insurance from masking abortions for “public workers and folks on public insurance coverage.”
Florida
Abortion standing: Banned after six weeks with exceptions
Florida’s Amendment 4 sought to guard abortion below the state structure, stating that “no regulation shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or limit abortion earlier than viability or when vital to guard the affected person’s well being, as decided by the affected person’s healthcare supplier.” Whereas the vast majority of voters, 57 %, voted to cross the modification, Florida required it to succeed in a 60 % supermajority to cross — the best threshold within the nation, per The Hill.
Maryland
Abortion standing: Authorized till fetal viability, now protected below the state structure
Abortion was already authorized in Maryland earlier than fetal viability. Now, voters within the state have handed the Reproductive Freedom referendum, which ensures reproductive freedom within the state structure — together with, the referendum notes, “the flexibility to make and effectuate choices to stop, proceed, or finish one’s personal being pregnant.” The measure passed by a large margin, with 74 % of voters voting sure and simply 25 % voting no.
Missouri
Abortion standing: Now authorized till fetal viability
Missouri was one of many states with a “set off regulation” set to ban abortion as quickly because the Supreme Courtroom allowed it in 2022. However Amendment 3, which voters within the state simply handed, now protects the appropriate to abortion till fetal viability below the state structure. The modification passed 51 % to 48 %.
Montana
Abortion standing: Authorized till fetal viability, now protected below the state structure
In Montana, the place abortion was already authorized till fetal viability, voters have now permitted an modification to guard it below the state structure. The structure now consists of the appropriate to “make and perform choices about one’s personal being pregnant, together with the appropriate to abortion.” Voters passed the amendment 57 % to 42 %.
Nebraska
Abortion standing: Now banned within the state structure after 12 weeks, with exceptions
In Nebraska, two opposing abortion proposals had been on the poll. The Nebraska Right to Abortion Initiative seemed to guard the appropriate to abortion till fetal viability below the state structure; the Protect Women and Children Amendment seemed to do the alternative, amending the state structure to ban abortions after the second and third trimesters, with exceptions for medical emergencies, sexual assault, and incest.
The anti-abortion measure won, garnering 55 % of the vote for and 44 % towards. (The professional-abortion measure was rejected, with 51 % of voters casting “no” votes in comparison with 48 % “sure.”)
Nevada
Abortion standing: Authorized till fetal viability or if the being pregnant could also be deadly to the mom, now protected below the state structure
Nevada’s Right to Abortion Initiative has passed, 63 % to 36 %. This may amend the state structure to supply a proper to abortion till fetal viability, or to guard the life or well being of the mom.
New York
Abortion standing: Authorized till fetal viability or when the being pregnant or mom’s life is in danger, now protected below the state structure
Abortion was already authorized till fetal viability in New York. Now, the New York State Equal Rights Amendment has prohibited discrimination from the federal government primarily based on being pregnant and reproductive healthcare. The modification passed by 61 % to 38 %.
South Dakota
Abortion standing: Banned with exceptions to avoid wasting the lifetime of the mom
South Dakota’s proposed amendment to permit the appropriate to abortion earlier than 12 weeks (and after, if the mom’s life is in danger) failed. Voters rejected the measure 59 % to 40 %.
Earlier than you go, examine these celebrities who’ve shared their abortion tales:
