A measure that would have enshrined abortion rights protections in the Florida state constitution failed to meet the 60 percent threshold needed to pass, according to ABC News projections.

Florida bans abortion for six weeks, with exceptions for rape, incest and the life of the mother. If approved, this provision would have allowed abortions to resume in a state that was a key access point to abortion care for women in the South before the state’s ban took effect in april.

The initiative would amended the state constitution Add protections to abortion, prohibiting legislation that prohibits, penalizes, delays, or restricts abortion care before viability or when necessary to protect a patient’s health.

This is the first failed abortion-related ballot initiative since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.

Voters in six states – California, Kansas, Kentucky, Montana, Michigan and Vermont – have already defended abortion rights through ballot initiatives in the 2022 midterm elections.

Fifty-seven percent of voters approved the ballot initiative in Florida, three percentage points shy of passage. Florida rejected the initiative even though voters there are 65% in favor of legal abortion. Among supporters of legal abortion, 14 percent voted against the amendment, according to preliminary poll results.

At least 14 states have suspended almost all abortion services since the overturning of Roe v. Wade. In total, 21 states have restrictions on abortion in place.

Ballot questions that would protect abortion rights are expected to pass in Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, New York and Nevada.

Arizona

A ballot initiative expected to be approved by Arizona voters will amend the state constitution to establish a fundamental right to abortion. It also protects access to abortion after fetal viability if a health care provider determines that an abortion is necessary to protect the life, physical or mental health of the patient, using clinical standards and medical evidence-based, according to Arizona For Abortion Access, a coalition. supporting the amendment.

Arizona currently bans abortion for 15 weeks, with no exceptions in cases of rape or incest. Earlier this year, state lawmakers repealed a near-total ban on abortion dating to 1864.

The initiative will also prevent the state from penalizing anyone who helps another person obtain abortion care. Some states have sought to criminalize the actions of family and friends who help patients access abortion care, including driving a woman to have an abortion or paying for her abortion care.

Colorado

Colorado voters are expected to approve a ballot initiative that would add a right to abortion in the state constitution. The amendment prohibits the government from denying, hindering or discriminating against the exercise of this right, according to the Colorado Secretary of State.

The initiative will also prohibit health insurance from denying coverage for abortion.

The state already protects abortion, and state law has established that it is a fundamental right. In 2023, Colorado also passed a shield law that prohibits state agencies from cooperating with out-of-state investigations and lawsuits arising from reproductive health care provided in Colorado.

Maryland

A ballot question that would add a section to the Maryland Constitution establishing a right to reproductive freedom is expected to be approved by voters, with an estimated 51 percent of the vote.

Abortion in Maryland, it’s already legal to the point of viability. After viability, abortions are still permitted in cases of fetal abnormalities or if the woman’s life or health is in danger.

The ballot initiative will allow people to make decisions about their own pregnancy and the state will be prohibited from encumbering or restricting that right, directly or indirectly, unless justified by “a compelling public interest.” the State reached by the least restrictive means,” according to the text.

The measure was put to a vote by the state legislature.

Missouri

Missouri voters are expected to approve an amendment that would enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution.

Missouri is the first state with a near-total abortion ban in effect to approve an abortion rights initiative. Missouri’s ban does not provide exceptions for rape, incest or fatal fetal abnormalities.

The initiative would amend the state constitution to prohibit the government from being able to deny or infringe on anyone’s right to reproductive freedom — which gives people the right to make and carry out decisions, including health care abortion, miscarriage, birth control, prenatal care, childbirth and postpartum care.

The initiative will allow the Legislature to enact laws that regulate abortion after fetal viability, except in cases where a medical provider believes an abortion is necessary to protect a person’s life, physical or mental health pregnant.

The initiative will also prohibit penalizing or prosecuting people who receive abortion care or anyone who helps them do so.

new York

In New York, a ballot measure – which does not explicitly mention abortion – amends the state constitution to include anti-discrimination protections for pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, reproductive health care and autonomy. The measure was introduced by the state legislature.

Abortion is legal until viable in New York.

Nevada

A ballot initiative in Nevada is expected to pass, but it will need to be approved by voters again in 2026 to take effect. The measure would amend the state constitution and make access to abortion an individual right in cases of fetal viability or whenever necessary to protect the life or health of a pregnant person throughout pregnancy.

If approved in 2026, the measure would prohibit state and local governments from interfering with an individual’s fundamental right to abortion.