Voters across the country backed abortion rights ballot proposals in at least four states in the midterm elections, The New York Times reports.
Voters in California voted to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution months after the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade.
Gov. Gavin Newsom, who easily won re-election, said it was a “point of pride” that abortion rights were now protected by the constitution.
“It’s a point of principle and it’s a point of contrast,” he said, “at a time of such mixed results all across this country.”
Michigan:
Voters in Michigan also voted to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution and re-elected Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, who vowed to veto any legislation restricting abortion in the state. Her Republican opponent, Tudor Dixon, pushed for a strict abortion ban.
Vermont:
Vermont became the third state to add abortion protections to their state constitution.
The ballot question came after the legislature in 2019 passed a law guaranteeing reproductive rights.
Advocates said that the overturning of Roe meant “state-level protections are vital to safeguarding access to reproductive health care.”
Kentucky:
Voters in Kentucky on Tuesday voted down an amendment to the state constitution that said there is no right to abortion.
The vote came just a week before the state supreme court was set to hear a challenge to the state’s abortion ban.
“This is a victory for bodily autonomy and the right of all Kentuckians to make the best decisions for themselves, but the fight is not over,” said Amber Duke, the interim executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Kentucky.
