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Abortion on the ballot in the 2024 elections: here’s what you need to know
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Abortion on the ballot in the 2024 elections: here’s what you need to know

One state, Nebraska, has two competing measures on the ballot: one would protect access; the other would ban abortion after the first trimester.

Abortion is a key election questionpushing voters to the polls not just in states with ballot protections, but across the country. The topic also influences voter turnout in presidential, parliamentary, senatorial and local elections. A recent survey by KFF found that abortion is the top issue for female voters under 30.

Here’s a look at where abortion fits on the ballot, what the measures will do, and what access would look like in each state if the measures fail. This map will be updated after November 5 to reflect the results in these 10 states.

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Voters will decide on a measure that would amend the state constitution to include the right to abortion up to fetal viability, or about 24 weeks of pregnancy.

In April, the Arizona Supreme Court allowed the application of a near-total ban on abortion that dates back to 1864. The Republican-led Parliament repealed the banbut Arizona residents are currently subject to the existing state Ban on abortion for 15 weekswhich provides no exception for rape or incest, adopted in 2022.

Colorado voters will decide on a measure to enshrine a right to abortion in the state constitution, in addition to requirements that Medicaid and private insurers cover abortion.

To pass, the measure requires the support of 55 percent of voters. Abortion is already legal at all stages of pregnancy in Colorado.

In Florida, a law prohibiting abortion after six weeks pregnantbefore many people know they are pregnant, took effect in May. Voters will decide whether to overturn the ban and legalize abortion up to fetal viability.

Ballot questions in Florida must receive 60 percent support to pass.

Voters will decide whether to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution. Abortion is currently allowed in the state up to the fetus viability.

Missouri has one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the country, adopted in 2022 following the Supreme Court ruling. The passed measure would overturn the ban by enshrining the right to abortion in the state constitution.

The measure would guarantee the right to abortion until fetal viability and subsequently allow it for the health of the pregnant person.

Nebraska, where a 12-week abortion ban is in effect after it passes the Legislature in 2023, has two competing measures on the ballot. One measure would enshrine in the state constitution the right to abortion until fetal viability, as well as later in cases where necessary to protect the health of the pregnant person. The other would enshrine the 12-week ban in the constitution, with exceptions for rape, incest and saving the life of the pregnant person.

Nebraska Secretary of State’s Office said in August 2023 that to the best of the office’s knowledge, “Nebraska has never had two conflicting petitions make the same ballot.”

The office said that if both ballot measures receive enough votes to pass, the measure with “the greatest number of ‘for’ votes will prevail.”

Voters will vote on a ballot measure that would enshrine in the state constitution the right to abortion until fetal viability, as well as later in cases where it is necessary. to protect the health of the pregnant person. The measure will have to be adopted again in 2026 to amend the constitution.

Abortion up to viability, about 24 weeks, is already allowed in Nevada under a 1990 law.

One of New York’s six ballot questions is Proposition 1, a equal rights measure This would prohibit discrimination based on race, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy outcome, as well as reproductive health care and autonomy.

Supporters say the ballot measure would cover abortion, but the measure does not specifically mention the word “abortion” after a judge refused in August to require the word to appear.

Abortion is currently permitted in the state until fetal viability.

Voters will decide whether to approve a measure banning restrictions on abortion during the first trimester of pregnancy. The measure would allow regulations during the second trimester “only in a manner reasonably related to the physical health of the pregnant woman.”

The state currently bans abortions at any stage of pregnancy, without exception for rape or incest.

Materials from the Associated Press and previous Globe coverage were used in this report.


Amanda Kaufman can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow her @amandakauf1. Christina Prignano can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow her @cprignano.