Abortion Measures Heading to US Ballot in November Amid Restrictive Wave: What’s at Stake?

Many electorates throughout the US will vote on abortion policies during next November’s polling, as activists aim to enact measures that safeguard or re-establish accessibility to abortions at a state level. This comes after last year’s Dobbs decision by the Supreme Court abolished Roe v. Wade and removed national rights for terminating pregnancies. Most of these proposed ballot initiatives intend to codify abortion laws in their respective constitutions, while counter measures are trying to curtail abortions. Three states (Florida, Maryland and New York) have already approved such policies set to take effect next year; Florida’s decision is particularly significant as it serves as a critical access point for people seeking services amidst an ever-increasing shortage of abortion providers in the surrounding areas. On May 1st, Florida will replace its current restrictive ban on abortions after sixteen weeks with one that becomes effective at just six weeks into pregnancy following Dobbs’ decision. In other states, campaigners are working to collect signatures and meet legal requirements for securing ballot initiatives by summer deadlines or court approval in some cases. These efforts are being funded mainly through coalitions of reproductive health advocates who aim to protect abortion rights up until the point of viability (approximately 24 weeks into pregnancy), which is still supported medically, and additionally protecting the patients’ health. Examples of proposals supporting access include: in Nevada & Montana, allowing abortions beyond the time when a foetus can survive outside the womb if deemed necessary by doctors to protect pregnant people’s lives or wellbeing; Arkansas proposes permitting abortion up until 20 weeks into pregnancy and/or for cases involving rape, incestuous assaults, or fatal fetal anomalies. Missouri is considering a measure that would broadly safeguard reproductive care while another proposal aims to enshrine the state’s near-total ban on abortions in its constitution; Pennsylvania & Iowa are planning ballot measures against funding for abortion services through public money, with no immediate hope of approval by their respective legislatures. Two states could see competing initiatives next year – both proposing protecting and limiting access to abortions simultaneously. Seven other jurisdictions have voted on such matters since Dobbs was struck down in 2022: each effort has encountered substantial backing from voters, with all proposals supporting abortion rights passing while those against them failed. Supporters of these measures believe that they provide legal protection for patients and healthcare providers alike whilst also sending a clear message to lawmakers regarding voter preference on this topic even if their support seems like an absolute in states such as California where the demand is undoubtedly high.