Measures to protect access to abortion passed in seven states but failed in three It was on the ballot that marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing national debate over reproductive rights.

Arizona, Colorado, New York, Maryland, Missouri, Montana and Nevada voted to protect women’s right to vote. But the states of Florida, South Dakota, and Nebraska have chosen to impose or maintain stricter limits on abortion access. The results underscore a growing patchwork of abortion policies; some states are expanding access, while others are trying to limit it or restrict it entirely.

This wave of ballot initiatives follows the US Supreme Court’s 2022 overturn Roe v. wadeA move that ends federal protections for abortion and leaves regulation to the states. In response, abortion rights advocates have increasingly resorted to ballot initiatives, allowing voters to weigh in directly on the issue and bypass legal hurdles. This approach reflects a shift toward grassroots efforts to protect or restore access to abortion in an evolving and polarized legal landscape.

Here’s a look at how voters are taking the reins on this critical issue Voting in 10 states

new York

Voters in New York showed strong support for measures to protect access to abortion by approving amendments to the state constitution. Such a measure Suggestion 1It appeared on the ballot without directly mentioning abortion, but it effectively guaranteed the right to abortion. Abortion remains legal in New York until the 24th week of pregnancy.

Arizona

Voters in Arizona passed a bill that would repeal the state’s ban on abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. This move significantly expands reproductive rights and marks a major shift in the state’s abortion landscape. The measure, a victory for abortion rights advocates in this presidential battleground state, creates a “fundamental right” to abortion in the Arizona state constitution. It prohibits the state from restricting or banning abortions before the viability of the fetus, usually around the 24th week of pregnancy. Until now, Arizona law prohibited abortion after 15 weeks.

colorado

Colorado voters approved a measure that would strengthen existing abortion rights, continuing the state’s history of supporting reproductive access. Because abortion was already legal to the point of validity, the amendment secures existing protections and solidifies Colorado’s stance on reproductive rights. The measure also repeals a constitutional provision that previously banned public funding for abortion. There is no pregnancy limit on abortion access in Colorado.

maryland

Maryland voters approved a constitutional amendment protecting access to abortion and affirming the right to reproductive freedom. The measure safeguards existing abortion rights, including the power to make pregnancy decisions, and enshrines those protections in the state constitution. Maryland has no gestational limit on abortion, solidifying reproductive rights in the state.

Montana

Montana voters approved a measure to protect access to abortion and strengthen the state’s existing reproductive rights. The amendment guarantees the right to make decisions about one’s pregnancy, including abortion, up to and after the viability of the fetus to protect the life or health of the patient. Abortion has been legal in Montana since a 1999 state Supreme Court decision.

Nevada

Nevada voters passed a measure to protect abortion rights by ensuring the state’s legal framework continues to support reproductive access. The amendment to the Nevada state constitution guarantees the right to abortion up to the point where the fetus is viable and after viability when necessary to preserve the patient’s health or life. Although the amendment has now been approved, voter approval would be required again in 2026 to completely change the state constitution.

Missouri

Missouri voters overturned the state’s nearly complete abortion ban, marking a significant expansion in access to abortion. Currently, abortion is banned in Missouri, with no exceptions for rape and incest. The newly approved amendment represents a major shift in state policy that is expected to significantly expand access to abortion services.

Florida

Florida voters rejected a measure that would have protected abortion rights in the state constitution, marking a hurdle for advocates who want to restore broader access. The proposal to allow abortions until they are viable received 57 percent of the vote but fell short of the 60 percent threshold needed for approval. Florida currently bans most abortions after six weeks. This defeat led to Roe v. It ended a string of victories by abortion rights groups on state ballot measures since the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning the Wade case.

south dakota

South Dakota voters rejected an initiative that would have legalized first- and second-trimester abortions. As a result, the state’s near-total abortion ban, which allows exceptions only to save the mother’s life, will remain in effect. The proposal, which included rape and incest exemptions, was narrowly rejected, reflecting the divided and mixed stance among voters.

Nebraska

Nebraska voters faced two competing abortion-related ballot measures. One, which failed to pass, sought to protect the right to abortion until the viability of the fetus. The other resolution passed upheld the state’s 12-week abortion ban, allowing exceptions for sexual assault, incest and medical emergencies. If both measures were passed, the one with the most votes would go into effect. Nebraska law currently allows abortions up to 12 weeks.

The results mark the end of a winning streak for abortion rights advocates and underscore how important an issue reproductive health remains to voters. Accordingly Associated PressIn a nationwide survey of more than 110,000 voters, nearly a quarter of respondents said abortion policy was the most important factor in their vote, while nearly half rated it as an important but not primary factor. Just over 1 in 10 said it was a minor factor.