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Most abortion-related ballot measures passed, but that didn’t mean a victory for Democrats
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Most abortion-related ballot measures passed, but that didn’t mean a victory for Democrats

Had an abortion this week On the ballot in 10 statesBut even where that didn’t happen, Democrats hoped that the fight for reproductive rights would give them an advantage. The hope was to encourage nonpartisan voters to not only vote in favor of abortion access, but also to vote for Democrats. But once Donald Trump He regained the presidencyWith Republicans too get a Senate majorityAlthough access to abortion was prioritized in some red states, such as Missouri and Montana, this did not prove to be a blue victory.

Still, pro-abortion advocates are not calling Tuesday night a complete loss for reproductive rights in America. For example, in Missouri, Amendment 3 was passed, which incorporated the right to abortion into the state constitution and eliminated the state’s existing abortion ban. There’s one of these in Missouri most restrictive abortion ban in the country where abortion is often completely prohibited but only permitted”in medical emergencies.”

“Missouri has been labeled a ‘red’ state, but tonight’s results clearly show that abortion is not a partisan issue; it is a personal health issue that Missourians of all political backgrounds agree should be left to women, their families, and their doctors.” Kelly Hall, executive director of the Fairness Project, which supports Missouri’s Yes on 3 campaign, said in a media release.

Rachel Sweet, campaign manager for Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the organization behind the Yes on 3 campaign, said Democrats, Republicans and independents have “loudly declared that they do not want politicians interfering with their private medical decisions.”

“Floridians support abortion rights, but Governor DeSantis’ anti-democratic campaign against the 4th Amendment has prevented his constituents from being heard and forced minority rule.”

At the same time Missouri voters overall choose Trump – Roe v. to replace Kamala Harris for president. who boasted of overturning the Wade case. A similar story emerged in Florida with the failure to pass Amendment 4 regarding abortion. If passed, Amendment 4 would have amended Florida’s state constitution to prohibit government interference with the right to a pre-viable abortion. Florida’s post-Dobbs abortion law makes it a crime to perform or actively participate in an abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. Technically it’s banned Exceptions for rape, incest and human trafficking Up to 15 weeksand saving a woman’s life or preventing “significant and irreversible” harm. Fifty-eight percent of Florida voters wanted the law to pass, but a 60 percent majority was needed for the measure to pass; this was the highest threshold of any abortion-related amendment on the ballot. Trump received 56 percent of the vote in Florida.

“Floridians support abortion rights, but Governor DeSantis’ undemocratic campaign against Amendment 4 has prevented his constituents’ voices from being heard and minority rule from being implemented,” Hall said. “In the face of state government incessant interference in the ballot measure process, an extraordinary number of Florida voters opposed a cruel and dangerous abortion ban — and we are incredibly proud to support the on-the-ground advocates who made it possible. ”

Lauren Brenzel, campaign manager for Yes on 4 Florida, said the news confirms what advocates have observed on the ground during the campaign.


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“Florida’s lethal abortion ban is inconsistent with our state’s values,” Brenzel said. “Florida voters sent that message loud and clear today, and even though only a small minority of voters voted to maintain the abortion ban, our extremist government will exploit the situation to deny its voters the right to decide our bodily autonomy.”

Other abortion measures, including South Dakota’s Constitutional Amendment G, failed to pass. Although this proposal is seen as more restrictive than others (since it would only protect abortion rights in the first trimester of pregnancy in the state constitution), the measure did not receive a majority of votes. in Nebraska, Initiative 434 The law prohibiting abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy, with limited exceptions, was adopted. A dueling effort to expand access to abortion has failed.

Arizona voters pass Proposition 139 amending the state constitution To ensure the fundamental right to abortion. The measure is seen as a victory and will allow abortion to be accessible after fetal viability to preserve the life, physical or mental health of the pregnant woman. This would also prevent the state from punishing people who help another person exercise their right to an abortion. Earlier this year, The Arizona Supreme Court upheld an 1864 law banned nearly all abortions in the state. After protracted court wrangling, abortion in the state remains possible until the 15th week of pregnancy.

Maryland, Montana, Colorado and Nevada all voted to include abortion rights in their state constitutions. New York also passed a measure that would protect “against unequal treatment based on reproductive health and autonomy.”

“Access to abortion is not just an issue won by voters; This is a fundamental right that impacts every aspect of their lives,” Mini Timmaraju, president and CEO of Reproductive Freedom for All, said in a statement. “This is a major victory that reaffirms that voters across the political spectrum in red, blue and purple states will take action to protect their freedoms.”

Karla Gonzales Garcia, Director of Gender, Sexuality and Identity at Amnesty International USA, called Arizona’s successful bid “a victory for human rights” in a media release.

“Roe v. Since the Wade case was dropped, Many states across the USA facing a human rights crisis When it comes to accessing abortion, it has created stigma, fear and a lack of vital health care for many people, Gonzales Garcia said. “But with this vote, the people of Arizona resisted and protected the human right to abortion.”

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