A recent ruling by the Arizona Supreme Court has brought new attention to the push for adding a right to abortion to the state constitution. The ruling allows the state to enforce a ban on abortion at all stages of pregnancy, prompting advocates to seek constitutional protections for abortion rights in Arizona.
Following the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, several states, including Arizona, have seen increased efforts to address abortion rights through ballot measures. Currently, most Republican-controlled states have implemented new abortion restrictions, with 14 states banning abortion at every stage of pregnancy, while Democrat-dominated states have laws or executive orders in place to protect access to abortion.
Notably, voters in seven states, including California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Ohio, and Vermont, have supported abortion rights through ballot measures. However, the path to getting abortion-related measures on the ballot varies across states, with some facing challenges in gathering signatures or navigating legal processes.
Looking ahead to the 2024 elections, several states are poised to address abortion rights through ballot measures. In Florida, a constitutional amendment to legalize abortion until viability is set to be voted on, while Maryland and New York are considering enshrining abortion rights in their state constitutions.
Other states, such as Arkansas, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, and South Dakota, are also grappling with abortion-related ballot measures. These efforts range from protecting abortion rights until viability to imposing restrictions on access at various stages of pregnancy.
However, some states, like Iowa and Pennsylvania, face challenges in advancing abortion-related measures due to political dynamics or legal processes. Despite efforts to introduce amendments denying a constitutional right to abortion in these states, the likelihood of such measures reaching voters remains uncertain.
As the debate over abortion rights continues to unfold across the country, the 2024 elections are shaping up to be a critical juncture for addressing this contentious issue through ballot measures.
