This November, nine states will make critical decisions regarding abortion rights, following Arizona and Montana’s recent addition to the list of states. Voters will soon weigh in on proposed constitutional amendments aimed at securing or limiting access to abortion.
Since the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, which overturned Roe v. Wade, many states have been actively reshaping their abortion laws. While some Republican-led states have instituted strict bans at various stages of pregnancy, others led by Democrats have enacted protective measures to uphold abortion access.
Here’s a closer look at the states that will have abortion-related measures on their ballots in November.
Montana
Montana will present an abortion rights referendum, aiming to uphold a 1999 Supreme Court ruling that supports the right to privacy for pre-viability abortions. Despite initial legal challenges from the state Attorney General, the Montana Supreme Court has given the green light for this initiative to be included on voter ballots.
Arizona
Arizona’s Supreme Court has validated the petition summary for an abortion measure. Voters will consider allowing abortions until approximately 24 weeks of pregnancy, countering previous arguments that the petition was misleading. Presently, Arizona permits abortions within the first 15 weeks.
Missouri
This November, Missourians will be asked if they want to legalize abortion until fetal viability under Amendment 3. The state’s abortion laws have been quite restrictive since June 2022, and there are concerns that the ballot language may not accurately reflect the implications of a ‘yes’ vote.
Colorado
Colorado currently allows abortions at any pregnancy stage and will vote on an amendment to secure these protections in the state constitution. Voters will also have a chance to lift the long-standing ban on using state funds for abortions.
Maryland
Similar to Colorado, Maryland voters will decide on enshrining the right to abortion in the state’s constitution. This effort has been ongoing since 2018, reflecting apprehensions about potential changes at the federal level.
Nevada
Nevada permits abortions until viability and will consider an amendment to guarantee access for the first 24 weeks. Advocates submitted over 200,000 signatures to put this measure on the ballot.
Florida
In Florida, a measure may also appear on the ballot to legalize abortion up to viability. Despite facing legal challenges, support for the amendment is strong, with a recent poll indicating 69% of voters are in favor.
South Dakota
South Dakota will let voters decide on a measure that would limit restrictions on abortions during the first trimester. Controversies surrounding the petition process have arisen, but the measure will proceed to the ballot.
New York
While abortion access isn’t directly on the ballot in New York, voters will consider banning discrimination based on “pregnancy outcomes” and “reproductive health care,” as part of the Equal Rights Amendment. This measure has seen its fair share of legal and procedural hurdles in recent months.
These votes in November represent significant opportunities for citizens in these states to express their views on abortion rights and the future of reproductive health legislation.