After Ohio vote, advocates in a dozen states are trying to put abortion on 2024 ballots

Following the recent Ohio vote, where a constitutional amendment protecting the right to abortion and reproductive health care was approved, advocates on both sides of the abortion issue are now focusing on getting similar measures on the 2024 ballots in several states. Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 decision safeguarding abortion rights nationwide, voters in all seven states that have held statewide votes have supported access to abortion. This includes Ohio, where voters recently enshrined abortion access in the state constitution.

Key points regarding Tuesday’s elections:

• Democrats gained further evidence that they can win races centered on the national debate over abortion.
• Abortion rights supporters succeeded in an Ohio ballot measure.
• Democratic Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky retained his office by campaigning on reproductive rights.

Constitutional amendments to protect access to abortion are already planned for the 2024 ballots in Maryland and New York, with some aiming to protect access and others seeking to limit or ban it.

Here is a summary of the developments in several states:

ARIZONA:
Abortion access advocates in Arizona are working to amend the state constitution to protect access to abortion until fetal viability, generally considered to be around 24 weeks gestational age or later, to safeguard the life or physical and mental health of the woman. Supporters have until July 3 to collect nearly 384,000 valid signatures to place the measure on the ballot.

COLORADO:
Colorado is witnessing efforts from both abortion rights advocates and opponents. Abortion rights advocates seek a constitutional amendment to prevent the state from banning abortion and to overturn a 1984 amendment allowing the government to prohibit insurance coverage for abortion. Opponents aim to ban abortion throughout pregnancy. Both sides have until August 5 to gather over 124,000 signatures, with any measure needing at least 55% of votes to pass.

FLORIDA:
Abortion rights advocates in Florida support a constitutional amendment to reverse laws restricting abortion. The state currently bans abortion at 15 weeks, but the proposed amendment aims to undo both bans and ensure access until fetal viability, around 24 weeks. To place it on the ballot, supporters must collect nearly 900,000 signatures by February 1, and the amendment would require 60% of votes to pass.

IOWA:
The Republican-controlled legislature in Iowa has approved an amendment asserting there is no right to abortion in the state constitution. This amendment awaits final approval in the 2023-24 term to go before voters, following legal battles in the state.

MARYLAND:
Maryland lawmakers have placed an amendment on the ballot that includes the “fundamental right” to reproductive freedom, with abortion already legal until viability in the state.

MISSOURI:
Intense court battles surround proposed ballot measures in Missouri, where abortion is currently banned at all stages of pregnancy. Abortion rights advocates seek a constitutional amendment to protect reproductive freedom, while moderate Republicans are working on a less restrictive amendment. To place their measures on the ballot, they need over 171,000 signatures by May 5.

NEBRASKA:
Abortion rights advocates in Nebraska have submitted language for a ballot question that would expand abortion access, though the exact language is pending approval and has not been made public. The state currently bans abortion after the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and supporters must gather signatures from at least 7% of registered voters statewide by July 5 to put the question on the ballot.

NEVADA:
In Nevada, voters could decide on adding an amendment to establish reproductive freedom, with exceptions after fetal viability for the life and physical and mental health of the woman. Supporters must collect more than 102,000 signatures by June 26 to place the question on the 2024 ballot.

NEW YORK:
New York lawmakers have already placed a question on the 2024 ballot seeking to bar discrimination in pregnancy outcomes and reproductive health care. While not explicitly mentioning abortion, the measure aims to protect access in a state where abortion is legal until viability.

PENNSYLVANIA:
Republican lawmakers in Pennsylvania may push to amend the state constitution to declare that it does not grant the right to an abortion or taxpayer-funded abortion. Control of the lower legislative chamber by Democrats is currently preventing this proposal from passing, but a vacancy and special election could potentially change the outcome. Abortion is currently legal in the state until 24 weeks gestational age.

SOUTH DAKOTA:
In South Dakota, voters could be asked to amend the state constitution to modify the state’s abortion ban with exceptions for the first trimester, the second trimester to preserve the woman’s life or health, and a ban in the third trimester except to save the woman’s life. Supporters have until May 7 to gather more than 35,000 signatures to place it on the ballot.

WASHINGTON:
Governor Jay Inslee in Washington pushed for a ballot question to protect abortion access in 2022, but it has not advanced through the legislature yet. Abortion is currently legal in the state until viability.

These developments across multiple states reflect the ongoing debate over abortion rights and restrictions in the United States.

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