Abortion rights at the ballot box: Seven states vote to expand access, three maintain restrictions – bottom line

Measures to protect access to abortion passed in seven states, but failed in three where she was on the ballot in this election, marking a turning point in the ongoing national debate about reproductive rights.

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

This wave of ballot initiatives follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wadea move that ended federal protections for abortion and left regulation to individual states. In response, abortion rights advocates are increasingly turning to ballot initiatives, which allow voters to directly weigh in on the issue and bypass legislative obstacles. This approach reflects a shift toward grassroots efforts to protect or restore access to abortion in an evolving and polarized legal environment.

Here’s a look at how voters took the reins on this critical issue when it was on voting in 10 states.

New York

Voters in New York showed strong support for measures to protect abortion access by approving amendments to the state constitution. One of these measures Sentence 1appeared on the ballot without directly mentioning abortion, but effectively secured the right to abortion. Abortion remains legal in New York until 24 weeks of pregnancy.

Arizona

In Arizona, voters passed a law repealing the state’s ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. The move greatly expands reproductive rights, marking a major shift in the state’s abortion landscape. The measure, a victory for abortion rights advocates in the presidential battleground state, enshrines a “fundamental right” to abortion in the Arizona Constitution. It prohibits states from restricting or prohibiting abortions before fetal viability, typically around 24 weeks of pregnancy. Until now, Arizona law prohibited abortions after 15 weeks.

Colorado

Colorado voters approved a measure to strengthen existing abortion rights, continuing the state’s history of supporting reproductive access. Because abortion is already legal up to the point of viability, the amendment provides current protections and strengthens Colorado’s position on reproductive rights. The measure also repeals a constitutional provision that previously prohibited government funding of abortions. Colorado still does not have a gestational age limit for abortion access.

Maryland

Maryland voters approved a constitutional amendment protecting access to abortion, affirming the right to reproductive freedom. The measure would guarantee existing abortion rights, including the ability to make decisions about pregnancy, and include those protections in the state constitution. Maryland has no gestational age limits for abortions, strengthening reproductive rights in the state.

Montana

Montana voters have approved a measure protecting abortion access that strengthens the state’s existing reproductive rights. The amendment establishes the right to make decisions about pregnancy, including abortion, until fetal viability and beyond, to protect the life or health of the patient. Abortion has been legal in Montana since a 1999 state Supreme Court decision.

Nevada

Nevada voters passed a measure to protect abortion rights by ensuring the state’s legal framework continues to support reproductive access. Nevada’s constitutional amendment guarantees the right to abortion before and after fetal viability when necessary to protect the health or life of the patient. Although the amendment has already been approved, fully amending the state constitution would require voter approval again in 2026.

Missouri

Missouri voters overturned the state’s near-total abortion ban, marking a major expansion of access to abortion. Abortion is currently illegal in Missouri except in cases of rape or incest. The recently approved amendment represents a major shift in government policy that is expected to significantly expand access to abortion services.

Florida

Florida voters rejected a measure to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, a setback for advocates seeking to restore greater access. The proposal, which would have allowed abortions before viability, received 57% of the vote but failed to pass the 60% threshold needed 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 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade.

South Dakota

South Dakota voters rejected an initiative that would have legalized abortion with rules in the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. As a result, the state’s near-total abortion ban, which allows exceptions only to save the mother’s life, will remain in place. The proposal, which included exceptions for rape and incest, was defeated by a narrow margin, reflecting a divided and complex position among voters.

Nebraska

Nebraska voters are faced with two competing abortion measures. One of them, which was not adopted, was aimed at establishing the right to abortion before fetal viability. The other, which passed, left in place the state’s 12-week abortion ban, allowing exceptions in cases of sexual assault, incest and medical emergencies. If both measures were passed, the one with the most votes would go into effect. Nebraska law currently allows abortions up to 12 weeks.

The results mark the end of abortion rights advocates’ winning streak, underscoring that reproductive health remains a key issue for voters. According to Associated PressIn a survey of more than 110,000 voters nationwide, about a quarter of respondents said abortion policy was the most important factor in their vote, while nearly half said it was important but not a major factor. Just over 1 in 10 said it was a minor factor.