Ballot measures on abortion rights have succeeded beyond what even their proponents imagined when the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade two years ago.
They have not only enshrined a constitutional right to abortion and restored access to the procedure in red and purple states.
Now the strategy — and an unbroken winning streak — faces its biggest test ever, with 10 states asking voters whether to establish a right to abortion in their constitutions.
On Friday, Nebraska became the final state to certify — it will be the only state with two measures, one sponsored by abortion rights supporters and the other by opponents.
And while voters have sided with abortion rights in all seven states where the question has appeared on the ballot since Roe’s reversal, this year’s map poses far steeper challenges, with citizen-sponsored abortion rights measures in five red states, two with near-total bans and all with aggressive opposition from Republican governors, courts or legislatures.
The ballot amendment in Florida alone will pose a test no other abortion proposal has faced: State law sets the threshold for passage at 60 percent, rather than a simple majority.
In other red states, abortion rights groups have won with percentages in the high 50s.
If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.
With the US Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade, ballot measures regarding abortion rights have achieved more success than even their supporters could have predicted. Wade before two years.
Along with restoring access to the procedure in red and purple states, they have also established a constitutional right to an abortion. Additionally, they have given Democrats an advantage in voter mobilization that the Republicans previously held.
With ten states asking voters to decide whether to include a right to abortion in their constitutions, the strategy—along with an unwavering winning streak—faces its biggest test to date. Nebraska became the last state to certify on Friday; it will be the only state with two measures, one supported by proponents of abortion rights and the other by opponents.
Following a convention where they emphasized reproductive rights more than ever before, Democrats are depending on the actions taken nationwide to increase access to abortion services and support them in crucial races for the presidency and Senate and House seats, particularly those in Arizona, Nevada, and Montana.
Voters have supported abortion rights in all seven states where the issue has been on the ballot since Roe’s reversal, but the obstacles on this year’s map are much greater because measures to support abortion rights are citizen-sponsored in five red states, two have nearly complete bans, and all face strong opposition from Republican legislatures, governors, and courts.
The Florida ballot amendment alone will put the proposal to a test that has never been applied to any other abortion proposal: state law sets the passage threshold at 60% rather than a simple majority. Abortion rights groups have triumphed in other red states with high 50s percentages.
While we check access, we appreciate your patience.
If you are already a subscriber, please log in.
Would you like to receive all of The Times? Sign up.
