Since the overthrow of Roe v. Wade in 2022 it was left to the States of determine what the abortion laws would be. Since then, 14 states across the country have instituted total or near-total ban on abortion. Additionally, 28 states have bans based on different gestational stages of pregnancy. Needless to say, abortion was at the forefront of the 2024 elections, along with the theme of reproductive rights. consistently named as the #1 problem among Gen Z voters in several Her Campus surveys.

So how did abortion rights fare in the November 5 elections? In total, 10 states had bills specifically related to abortion on their ballots. The measures ranged from whether the state should legalize abortion, to determining when in pregnancy abortion should be legal, to legalizing abortion at all stages of pregnancy .

Of the 10 states that have passed abortion ballot measures in the 2024 presidential election, seven The states – Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nevada and New York – voted to strengthen the legality of abortion, while three states – Florida, Nebraska and South Dakota – rejected expanding access to abortion. Here’s what you need to know about what each of those votes meant and what it took to get there.

States that voted to expand abortion rights

Arizona

In Arizona, Proposition 139 is adopted in the state with a majority of 61% of voters. This means that the right to abortion, up to the point of fetal viability, will now be included in the Arizona state constitution. The measure expands the right to abortion in the country, as previous laws regarding abortion made it illegal after 15 weeks, while fetal viability is estimated at around 24 weeks.

Colorado

In Colorado, Amendment 79 is adopted in the state with a majority of 61% of voters. Passage of this measure will enshrine the right to abortion, at all stages of pregnancy, in the state constitution. In Colorado, abortion at all stages of pregnancy was already legal, but this law will now be much more difficult to revoke if it is written into the state constitution. The amendment also included an end to the ban on using public funds to finance abortions.

Maryland

In Maryland, Question 1 regarding amending the state constitution adopted with a majority of 74%. This constitutional amendment included enshrining the right to abortion, up to the point of fetal viability, and protecting those who travel to Maryland for abortions from more restrictive states. Although both of these protections are already legal in Maryland, adding them to the state constitution makes them much more difficult to revoke.

Missouri

In Missouri, Amendment 3 is adopted with a majority of 51%. This will enshrine the right to abortion up to the point of fetal viability in the state constitution. Previously, in Missouri, there was a near-total ban on abortions, with only small exceptions if there was danger to the pregnant person. Therefore, the passage of this measure represents a huge expansion of abortion rights in Missouri.

Montana

BREAKING: Montanans have voted to enshrine the right to abortion in the state Constitution, securing the right to make pregnancy decisions, including abortion, against future attacks.

This is a monumental victory for abortion rights in Montana.

–ACLU (@ACLU) November 6, 2024

In Montana, Amendment 128 adopted with a majority of 57%. This will enshrine the right to abortion up to the point of fetal viability in the state constitution. Until now, abortion was already legal in Montana before the election, but now, once again, this right will be added to the state constitution, making it more difficult to revoke.

Nevada

In Nevada, question 6 passed with a majority of 63%. This measure will enshrine the right to abortion up to the point of fetal viability in the state constitution, which was already the law regarding abortion in the state. However, this measure will need to be approved again in 2026 to actually be added to the state constitution.

new York

In New York, Proposition 1 adopted with more than 61% of the votes. The measure sought to expand civil rights protections in the state by adding anti-discrimination laws based on identity, race and ethnicity, as well as pregnancy outcomes and reproductive health care. Although the measure does not specifically mention abortion, it is expected to increase access to abortion in the state, where abortion is currently legal until the fetus is viable.

States that have rejected the expansion of abortion rights

Florida

the 60% rule in Florida Amendment 4 is EXACTLY why abortion rights should be state law. how did 57% of voters vote yes to the right to abortion and yet they still lost???

– a girl with many perspectives (@harryscowgirI) November 6, 2024

Although Amendment 4 — the measure intended to enshrine the right to abortion up to the point of fetal viability in the Florida state constitution — garnered 57 percent of the “yes” vote, but has still not passed. It’s because the measure required a qualified majority of 60% to passthe highest threshold for abortion measures in the country. Currently in Florida, abortion is legal up to six weeks only. The adoption of this measure would therefore have considerably expanded the right to abortion in this very restrictive state.

Nebraska

Nebraska actually had two contradictory measures on his ballot regarding abortion rights in this election. The first, Measure 434, would enshrine the right to abortion during the first trimester (usually around 12 weeks) in the state constitution. The second, Measure 439, would enshrine the right to abortion up to fetal viability in the state constitution. Because technically both measures could get enough votes to pass, state lawmakers decided that the measure getting the most “yes” votes would be the one that passed.

Measure 434 received 55% of the vote, while Measure 439 received 51%. In Nebraska, abortion up to the end of the first trimester was already legal, and this law will now be enshrined in the state constitution. Therefore, the right to abortion during the first trimester will be an option for Nebraska residents, with later exceptions for rape, incest and life of the pregnant person. However, this measure also leaves open the possibility of adopting additional restrictions, up to a total ban on abortion.

South Dakota

In South Dakota, Amendment G was not adoptedobtaining 40.5% of the votes. The measure sought to create the right to first-trimester abortion, while allowing the state to regulate second-trimester abortions and allowing exceptions for the pregnant person’s health in the third trimester. South Dakota currently has a near-total ban on abortion.