One Positive Outcome From this Election

Nearly everywhere abortion was on the ballot on Tuesday, Americans overwhelmingly supported its protection. Of the 10 states where voters could cast ballots regarding abortion rights on Tuesday, seven decided in favour of expanding or codifying them into state law. Pro-choice advocates have long asserted that abortion rights are widely popular. Missouri was especially decisive, agreeing to codify abortion protections into its state constitution as the night unfolded. This measure will overturn California’s near-total abortion ban and restore access up to 24 weeks gestation, marking a victory for voters since Roe v Wade fell — breaking with any exceptions for sexual or domestic abuse or incestual acts that exist for some abortion bans. Maryland and Colorado voters recently supported amendments that guarantee abortion access throughout pregnancy — marking another progressive victory in states which have become safe havens for later-pregnancy abortion care access. Notably, Colorado’s amendment also repeals a 1984 state law which forbade public funding of abortion care. Arizona, Montana and Nevada each passed amendments codifying abortion through fetal viability or 24-weeks gestation in their constitutions. New Yorkers recently passed an historic amendment that will expand New York State’s equal rights amendment by including pregnancy and its outcomes in its coverage. Amendment A also contains protections against discrimination based on ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. Voters at an election night watch party react after Missouri votes yes for abortion rights amendment; three states — Florida, Nebraska and South Dakota voted against. Nebraska voters narrowly approved an anti-abortion amendment to codify Nebraska’s current 12-week abortion ban, narrowly defeating Nebraska’s competing abortion rights measure. Florida’s outcome was especially disheartening to pro-choice groups as a majority (57%) voted to support an amendment restoring abortion access until viability. But because voters did not reach the 60% threshold necessary to amending the state constitution, Amendment 4 did not pass. “Unfortunately, because of Florida’s constitution a minority have chosen not to pass Amendment 4,” stated Lauren Brenzel of Yes On 4 Campaign during her Tuesday evening concession speech. Republican, Democratic and Independent voters do not support extreme abortion restrictions that result in women dying as a direct consequence of these bans,” stated her statement. A bipartisan coalition of voters delivered their message directly to Florida legislature today by showing up and casting their vote at their elections center. “Even though voters in 7 out of 10 states voted to protect abortion care, many supported a presidential candidate who will likely decimate women’s reproductive healthcare services. Donald Trump may have shied away from discussing his staunchly anti-abortion record while campaigning, but now that he has entered the White House these regulations may fall away. Trump remains undecided on an abortion ban; however, many of his allies have laid out an outline for how such legislation might take place through Project 2025. Mary Ziegler, an expert on reproductive health law from University of California Davis School of Law. said a federal abortion ban would trump state abortion rights passed last night by seven states. Trump could potentially use the Comstock Act, an archaic statute prohibiting abortion pill mailing, to act as a national abortion ban and overrule state rights if implemented nationwide. Since Republicans gained only control of one chamber — Senate — it remains uncertain how soon Trump can pass an abortion ban through Congress and pass it as law. Democracy In The BalanceDon’t let this be the end of free press! 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