Recent ballot measures across several states have resulted in significant developments regarding abortion access. In Missouri, Nevada, and Montana, measures to protect and expand abortion rights have been approved, aligning with wins for abortion rights advocates in New York, Colorado, Maryland, and Arizona.
In Missouri, a measure to enshrine the right to an abortion up to the point of viability in the state’s constitution has been approved. This move greatly expands access to abortion in a state where it is currently banned with no exceptions for rape or incest.
Similarly, in Nevada, voters have approved a measure establishing the right to an abortion up to the point of viability in the state’s constitution. However, this measure will require voter approval again in 2026 to amend the constitution.
Montana has also seen progress in protecting abortion rights, with a measure to amend the state’s constitution passing. This measure ensures the right to make decisions about one’s own pregnancy, including the right to an abortion, through fetal viability or when necessary to protect the pregnant patient’s life or health.
On the other hand, South Dakota’s ban on abortions with an exception to save the life of the mother will remain in place. Voters rejected a measure that would have guaranteed a constitutional right to an abortion with exceptions during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy.
Meanwhile, in Florida, a similar measure to expand abortion access failed, reflecting the diverse outcomes of these crucial ballot initiatives.
Nebraska is also awaiting the results of dueling measures on the ballot. One measure seeks to invalidate the state’s 12-week abortion ban, which includes exceptions for sexual assault, incest, and medical emergencies, while the other aims to uphold this restriction.
These recent developments underscore the ongoing debates and decisions surrounding abortion rights in various states, highlighting the complex and evolving landscape of reproductive rights in the United States.
