Since the US Supreme Court reversed federal abortion rights in 2022, abortion became illegal in thirteen states, mainly in the southern United States. Another twelve states are classified as “hostile” to abortion by the Center for Reproductive Rights. This means that abortion is severely restricted or subject to strict conditions. In eleven other states, abortion was just better protected.
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Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York and South Dakota. In those ten states, Americans could vote on November 5 not only on the presidential election, but also on abortion.
A referendum was held that could include the right to abortion in the constitution. In Nebraska, voters were even given the choice of two abortion referendums: one for relaxation and one for stricter. An overview.
Arizona
In Arizona, traditionally Republican, voted according NBC 62.9 percent in favor of a bill that guarantees the fundamental right to abortion, compared to 37.1 percent who voted no. It allows abortion up to “fetal viability,” which is estimated at 24 weeks into pregnancy.
Colorado
In Colorado, 61.5 percent voted in favor of the bill, 38.5 percent voted against, report CNN in NBC News. Abortion is already legal there at all times during pregnancy. However, the measure also repeals the ban on state and local funding for abortions and allows Medicaid and other government programs to be used to pay for abortions. (Read more below the photo)
Florida
In Florida, a supermajority of 60 percent was needed to pass the amendment that would write protections for the right to abortion up to 24 weeks into the state constitution. The fact that the amendment received only 57 percent of the votes and was therefore voted down is a victory for the Republican governor of Florida, Ron DeSantis. Florida had an abortion ban after fifteen weeks for a long time, but since May this year abortion has been banned after six weeks.
Maryland
In Maryland, abortion was legal before the referendum, and will remain so. In the state, 55 percent of the votes have been counted. According to NBC News the amendment enshrining reproductive freedom – including “the ability to make and carry out decisions to prevent, continue or terminate one’s own pregnancy” – will be adopted. Three quarters voted in favor of that amendment.
Missouri
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Missouri, the first state to make abortion illegal after the U.S. Supreme Court rolled back federal abortion rights, voted according NBC News 51.8 percent voted in favor of the bill, 48.2 percent voted against. For example, instead of a ban with only a few exceptions, there is now protection for up to 24 weeks.
Montana
An amendment has been passed in Montana that enshrines the right to abortion in the state constitution. That reports AP. Abortion was already legal, and will remain so with the approval of the proposal.
Nebraska
In Nebraska, where two abortion referendums were held, one amendment passed and another was voted down. The amendment to allow abortion until the fetus is viable was voted down. The other amendment, which was adopted, includes the right to abortion up to twelve weeks in the state constitution.
READ ALSO. American teenager dies after going to the emergency room three times for miscarriages, but was not helped by strict abortion laws
Nevada
In Nevada, the demand to enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution has received initial approval from voters, reports AP. They must approve that question again to amend the state constitution.
New York
The proposal has been adopted in New York state – where abortion was already legal before the referendum. People cannot be denied rights on the basis of their “ethnicity, origin, age and disability”, nor on the basis of “gender, including sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes and reproductive health care autonomy”.
South Dakota
According to AP South Dakota voted down an amendment that would have legalized abortion in the first trimester of pregnancy and allowed it under certain conditions in the second and third trimesters. The state has one of the strictest abortion bans in the country. There, abortion is only allowed if it is necessary to save the life of a pregnant woman. No exceptions are made for cases of rape or incest, nor would abortion benefit the health of the pregnant woman.
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