Seven states voted in favor of abortion rights during the 2024 election. In Arizona and Missouri, where abortion is banned or limited, the new measures will now expand access, CNN reported. Meanwhile, Colorado, Maryland, Montana, Nevada and New York voted to maintain abortion rights. Nebraska had two measures on the ballot for abortion rights. The state voted against one of the measures, which protects the right to an abortion up to the point of viability, which doctors say is around 24 weeks. The second measure, which preserves a 12-week ban, passed with a 55% approval.
In Florida and South Dakota, voters have decided to maintain the states’ strict abortion laws. While Florida voted to maintain its six-week ban, South Dakota still bans abortions with the exception of saving the mother’s life.
According to CNN, South Dakota’s measure would have granted the right to an abortion during the first and second trimesters of pregnancy with regulations. Advocates of reproductive rights said this would have been a critical measure to help women who became pregnant as a result of rape or incest.
In some of the states where abortion rights prevailed, there is still work to do before the measures become official. In Nevada for example, voters will need to vote again in 2026 approve the measure.
In Arizona, it’s a huge win for reproductive rights advocates, who were outraged when The Arizona State Supreme Court voted to uphold a total ban on abortion earlier this year. The state currently bans abortion at 15 weeks. In Colorado, where abortion is already legal, the new measure will allow public funds to be used toward abortions. As a result, abortion could be covered under Medicaid and possibly state employee health insurance plans.
In New York, the new amendment protection against discrimination of people who seek abortions. The measure states a person cannot be denied due to pregnancy outcomes, age, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity.
The issue of abortion, which made it to the ballots in ten states in 2024, faced a significant challenge two years ago when the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade to end the federal constitutional right to an abortion.
The post Abortion Laws By State: These 7 States Voted To Protect Or Expand Rights, And These 3 Voted Them Down appeared first on Blavity.
