Abortion rights advocates are focused on state ballot initiatives this November in the hopes of restoring, protecting, or blocking access in more than a dozen states. However, the path to victory has become more complex following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, with new challenges including state laws, Republican efforts to keep abortion off the ballot, and internal struggles within the movement. In Florida, the state’s Supreme Court approved a proposed amendment to enshrine abortion access in the state constitution, despite legal challenges from the Republican attorney general.
Initiatives are also underway in Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Montana, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, and South Dakota to restore or expand abortion access. State legislatures are also working on measures to protect, expand, or restrict access in states that don’t allow citizen-led initiatives. National Democrats see these ballot initiatives as opportunities to boost campaigns for president, Senate, and more than a dozen US House seats. In states like Arizona, where abortion is restricted at 15 weeks, advocates are collecting signatures for an amendment to protect the procedure before fetal viability.
In Florida, the approval of a ballot initiative has sparked optimism among Democrats despite recent GOP victories in the state. Democrats believe they have a chance to win in Florida by focusing on reproductive rights. However, passing ballot measures in Florida requires surpassing a 60% vote total, making it a challenging and expensive state for persuasion campaigns. However, recent progressive measures in the state have seen success, such as the approval of medical marijuana in 2016 and a minimum wage increase in 2020.
Legal and policy debates continue to shape efforts to protect abortion access in states like South Dakota, Missouri, and Nevada. While initiatives in Michigan and Ohio have prevented restrictions before fetal viability, Arkansas and South Dakota allow for more restrictions on abortion access. Planned Parenthood and the ACLU have not endorsed efforts in South Dakota and Arkansas, stating they do not provide the most expansive access. Grassroots groups are facing fundraising challenges but are determined to continue their efforts to protect reproductive rights.
State-based strategies are seen as vital in the fight to restore federal abortion rights and advocates are working to ensure comprehensive protections in states where there is an opportunity to expand access. National groups are focusing on initiatives in various states while also exploring campaigns in other states in future years. Grassroots groups like Arkansans for Limited Government and Dakotans for Health are working on initiatives, facing fundraising challenges but striving to continue their efforts to protect reproductive rights.
