Referendums and local law proposals: other ballots
In addition to voting to elect the next president, and for the renewal of the House of Representatives and part of the Senate, voters also vote, depending on their state of residence, for proposals of law and citizen voting initiatives.
Since the Supreme Court’s revocation in June 2022 of Roe v. Wade, who protected the right to abortion at the federal level, the decision is up to the states. In ten of them, voters will have to decide on the right to abortion.
Eight states will submit a referendum on abortion to their voters when called to the polls.
In Arizona, voluntary termination of pregnancy is currently legal until the 15the week of pregnancy. Beyond that, the law provides an exception in the event of endangering the life of the mother, but not in the case of rape or incest. Voters will have to decide whether they want to protect the right to abortion until the 24the week of pregnancy, period from which the fetus is considered viable.
In Colorado, abortion is legal at all stages of pregnancy. Voters are being asked to enshrine this right in the state Constitution and allow the use of public funds to protect it.
In Florida, abortion is illegal after six weeks of pregnancy, a time during which many women do not yet know they are pregnant. In the event of rape, incest or danger to the mother, this period can be extended to fifteen weeks. A referendum proposes to protect the right to abortion until the viability of the fetus.
South Dakota has one of the most restrictive laws on the subject since abortion is prohibited, unless continuing the pregnancy endangers the life of the mother. A proposal, unlikely to be adopted in this very conservative state, asks voters to include the right to abortion in the State Constitution until the first trimester of pregnancy. Beyond that, the restriction of the right to abortion must be compatible with the health of the mother.
In Maryland, where abortion is legal, voters are encouraged to enshrine this right and, more broadly, the “reproductive rights” in the State Constitution.
In Missouri, other particularly restrictive state, where abortion is illegal except in cases of“medical emergency”a referendum proposes to authorize abortion until the viability of the fetus.
In Montana, where abortion is legal until the fetus is viable, a proposal before voters aims to enshrine that right in the state Constitution.
In Nebraska, abortion is only legal until the 12the week of pregnancy. Only cases of rape, incest or endangering the life of the mother authorize an abortion after this stage. In this State, voters will have to vote on both a text guaranteeing access to voluntary termination of pregnancy beyond the first trimester of pregnancy, and on a proposal aimed at including this restriction in the Constitution of the State.
In Nevada, abortion is possible only in case of danger to the mother until the 24e week of pregnancy. A referendum plans to expand access to abortion and include it in the Constitution. In the event of a yes victory, voters will be asked to vote again in 2026 and it is only if the yes vote again will the right be ratified.
In New York State, abortion is legal until the 24the week of pregnancy, and beyond on medical advice. The referendum question does not directly concern the right to abortion, but proposes to include pregnant women in an amendment to the State Constitution on equal rights and to protect access to rights for all reproductive.
Among the other local elections that we will follow:
In California, the most followed consultation concerns proposition 36 (prop 36), a referendum strengthening penalties against petty crime and drug trafficking. There prop 36 has a good chance of being adopted (polls go so far as to credit the yes vote with 70% of the votes)
In Florida, the 3e amendment would legalize the recreational use of cannabis, making this state the 22e to do it.
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