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UPDATE, January 16, 2024: This text has been up to date to replicate developments in Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, and Pennsylvania.
Abortion wins elections. We noticed it final 12 months when Ohio voters enshrined abortion rights into the state structure, and in 2022 when Kansas, Kentucky, and Michigan voters rejected abortion restrictions and affirmed expanded protections.
Now, advocates and opponents alike are pushing extra abortion-related measures onto upcoming ballots. Rewire Information Group will probably be monitoring abortion poll initiatives and updating this checklist as teams collect signatures for his or her petitions and safe their place on this 12 months’s elections.
Alabama
The state doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. Alabama has a complete abortion ban with restricted exceptions.
Alaska
Alaska doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. The state supreme courtroom has dominated a number of instances that abortion is constitutionally protected, and pregnant individuals can obtain abortion care at any level throughout being pregnant.
Arizona
Arizona for Abortion Entry, a coalition of pro-choice teams together with the ACLU of Arizona, Healthcare Rising Arizona, Deliberate Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, and extra, is gathering signatures to place a constitutional modification affirming the correct to abortion on the November 2024 poll. As of January 12, advocates had collected greater than 250,000 of the 383,923 signatures wanted by July 3 to get the measure on the poll. The modification would enable for abortion care up till the level of fetal viability, someplace between 24 and 26 weeks. Abortion is at present banned at 15 weeks.
Arkansas
After having its proposed abortion entry poll language rejected by Arkansas Legal professional Basic Tim Griffin for a second time on January 4, advocates submitted a 3rd draft of the measure addressing the final of Griffin’s issues on January 8.
On November 28, 2023, Griffin first rejected the title for a proposed poll measure—dubbed the Arkansas Reproductive Healthcare Modification that aimed to legalize abortion entry as much as 18 weeks. In his rejection, Griffin cited confusion over the poll language’s use of the phrases like “entry” and “well being,” and stated the poll’s title “is tinged with partisan coloring and deceptive.”
The poll query committee behind the initiative, Arkansans for Restricted Authorities (organized by the nonprofit For AR Individuals), stated it should suggest a revised poll measure to the lawyer normal’s workplace.
The Pure State has a complete abortion ban with restricted exceptions.
California
The state doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. In 2022, Californians voted to amend the state structure to incorporate the correct to abortion. Abortion is banned on the level of viability.
Colorado
The Colorado Reproductive Well being, Rights, and Justice Coalition introduced in late August its intent to get a poll measure to codify abortion rights into the state structure. The coalition submitted two measures—one to enshrine abortion rights into the state structure and one other to permit abortion to be coated by state and native authorities staff’ medical insurance—for title consideration. Based on Ballotpedia, the measure that may constitutionally defend abortion was authorized for petition circulation in October, and the measure that may defend health-care insurance coverage protection of abortion for presidency staff had its title set by the state Title Board. Colorado Newsline reported that the coalition pushing the initiatives will solely pursue one of many two measures.
In the meantime, anti-abortion group Colorado Life Initiative is pushing abortion ban initiatives, although the same effort by the group was defeated in 2022. Titles had been set for 2 measures that may ban abortion, set up fetal “personhood,” and supply enforcement mechanisms. Abortion in Colorado is at present authorized all through being pregnant.
Connecticut
Connecticut doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. In 2022, Connecticut lawmakers handed legal guidelines to guard sufferers touring to the state and abortion care suppliers, in addition to laws permitting doctor assistants, superior apply registered nurses, and nurse midwives to supply procedural abortions. Abortion is banned on the level of viability.
Delaware
The state doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. Abortion is banned after the purpose of viability.
Florida
Floridians Defending Freedom, a coalition of reproductive rights organizations and residents, has surpassed the variety of statewide petition signatures wanted to place the “Modification to Restrict Authorities Interference With Abortion” on the 2024 poll, although it isn’t but an official poll measure. The statewide whole wanted is 891,523, and advocates have collected 911,168 legitimate signatures. Florida additionally requires a sure variety of signatures from every voting district, and Secretary of State Wire Byrd has not but licensed the poll measure. If authorized, abortion could be banned within the Sunshine State after the purpose of viability.
In November 2023, Florida’s Republican Legal professional Basic Ashley Moody requested the state supreme courtroom to weigh in on the measure’s language, which she argues is simply too imprecise for voters to know. Advocates have stated they’re frightened that an try to save lots of the measure by explicitly defining viability would hamper abortion rights advocacy throughout the nation for the foreseeable future. Abortion is at present banned at 15 weeks.
Georgia
Georgia doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. Abortion is banned at six weeks, earlier than most individuals know they’re pregnant.
Hawaii
Hawaii doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. In March, Gov. Josh Inexperienced signed abortion safety measures into state regulation, each increasing entry and eradicating onerous necessities like solely permitting abortion care in hospital or medical settings. Abortion is banned on the level of viability.
Idaho
Idaho doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. Abortion is totally banned with restricted exceptions, and suppliers should carry out an “affirmative protection,” proving in courtroom that an abortion would meet the state’s authorized exception necessities.
Illinois
Illinois doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle, although Gov. J.B. Pritzker has advocated for a pro-abortion measure to be on the 2024 poll. The state supreme courtroom has affirmed that abortion is constitutionally protected, and abortion is banned on the level of viability.
Indiana
Indiana doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. In June, the state supreme courtroom doubled down on its whole abortion ban with restricted exceptions.
Iowa
Conservative Iowa lawmakers are pushing a poll measure for November 2024 that may add language to Iowa’s state structure declaring it doesn’t “acknowledge, grant, or safe a proper to abortion or require the general public funding of abortion.” Abortion is at present banned at 22 weeks. A six-week ban was signed into regulation in July, however a state choose issued an injunction as a lawsuit towards it makes its method by way of the courts.
Kansas
Kansas doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. In 2022, voters rejected an modification to declare that the state structure didn’t assure the correct to abortion. Abortion is banned at 22 weeks.
Kentucky
The state doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. In 2022, Kentucky voters rejected an modification to forestall the state structure from safeguarding the correct to or funding for abortion care. The state has a complete abortion ban with restricted exceptions.
Louisiana
Louisiana doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. In 2020, voters authorized an modification declaring the state structure doesn’t present for abortion protections or funding. Louisiana has a complete ban, with restricted exceptions.
Maine
Maine doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. In July, Gov. Janet Mills signed into regulation a invoice that enables for later abortions if a health care provider deems it medically essential. In any other case, abortion is banned on the level of viability.
Maryland
In November, Maryland voters will determine whether or not to approve the Proper to Reproductive Freedom Act, which might affirm “a person’s personal reproductive liberty and supplies the State might not, immediately or not directly, deny, burden, or abridge the correct except justified by a compelling State curiosity achieved by the least restrictive means.” At present, abortion is banned on the level of viability.
Massachusetts
Massachusetts doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. Abortion is banned at 24 weeks.
Michigan
The Nice Lakes State doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. In 2022, voters authorized a constitutional modification guaranteeing the correct to abortion. Abortion is banned on the level of viability.
Minnesota
Minnesota doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. In January, Gov. Tim Walz signed into regulation laws that protects each abortion suppliers and out-of-state sufferers. Abortion is authorized at any level throughout being pregnant.
Mississippi
The state doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. In March, the Mississippi Legislature proposed a citizen-led poll initiative course of that particularly banned any abortion-related measures, however your entire effort was killed within the state senate. The Magnolia State has a complete ban with restricted exceptions.
Missouri
Abortion advocates with the group Missourians for Constitutional Freedom are working to place the Missouri Proper to Reproductive Freedom Modification, which might enshrine the correct to reproductive freedom within the state structure, enable bans or restrictions on abortion care after the purpose of fetal viability besides to guard the pregnant particular person’s life, and repeal the present ban on the November 2024 poll.
GOP operative Jamie Corley began the nonprofit Missouri Girls and Household Analysis Fund in 2023 to file six initiative petitions that may nullify the present state abortion ban, make abortion authorized by way of 12 weeks, and add exceptions for rape, incest, the lifetime of the pregnant particular person, and fetal anomalies to the state’s present abortion ban. All six proposals had been authorized for circulation.
There’s been some drama surrounding the poll language amongst state officers: In September 2023, a choose rewrote a Republican-written poll abstract that described abortions as “harmful and unregulated” to as an alternative say it might assure “the correct to make choices about reproductive well being care, together with abortion and contraception.” In October, a state appeals courtroom rejected Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s proposed language that may seek advice from the measure’s provisions as offering for “harmful and unregulated abortions till reside beginning,” saying it was too partisan. The Related Press reported the state supreme courtroom declined to listen to Ashcroft’s enchantment.
Abortion is at present banned, and docs should present an “affirmative protection” to supply care that meets the state’s authorized exception.
Montana
In November 2023, Deliberate Parenthood Advocates of Montana submitted a poll proposal to affirm Montanans’ proper to make their very own reproductive choices, together with abortion, and forestall the federal government from hindering abortion rights earlier than the purpose of fetal viability. It additionally incorporates provisions for safeguarding the pregnant particular person’s life and well being, and it “prevents the federal government from punishing sufferers, health-care suppliers, or anybody who assists somebody in looking for reproductive care, together with abortion care.”
The measure was referred to the state lawyer normal and workplace of price range and program planning in December, and it hasn’t but been given the greenlight for advocates to gather signatures.
Abortion is banned on the level of viability. In Could 2023, Republican Gov. Greg Gianforte signed a 15-week ban into regulation simply months after Montana voters rejected an anti-abortion invoice. A state courtroom quickly blocked the ban.
Nebraska
On November 15, abortion rights coalition Defend Our Rights launched language for a poll measure that may constitutionally defend abortion “till fetal viability”—normally round 24 to 26 weeks—or to save lots of the pregnant particular person’s life or well being. Republican Gov. Jim Pillen has vowed to struggle the measure and, equally to Florida officers, referred to as the viability language “imprecise and misleading.” Defend Our Rights should accumulate signatures from about 123,000 voters, and not less than 5 % of registered voters in 38 of the state’s 93 counties, based on the Hill.
In March 2023, anti-abortion advocates proposed the Nebraska Human Life Safety Act, which might ban procedural and drugs abortions, with an exception to save lots of the pregnant particular person’s life. The petition is in circulation.
Nebraska at present has a 12-week ban.
Nevada
After a district choose within the Silver State shot down a poll initiative that may have supplied for the correct to abortion care up till the purpose of fetal viability—saying the petition was too broad and could be an unfunded mandate—the advocates behind the initiative have launched a second marketing campaign to get abortion rights on Nevada’s poll. The reproductive rights coalition Nevadans for Reproductive Freedom’s new proposal supplies for the elemental proper to “abortion carried out or administered by a certified health-care practitioner till fetal viability,” which might happen someday between 24 to 26 weeks of being pregnant. It additionally says a pregnant particular person has the correct to an abortion to guard their life or well being.
The petition wants 102,362 signatures. As a result of it’s a constitutional modification, it must move twice in Nevada, that means that voters would want to determine on it once more in 2026 if it gathers sufficient signatures and positive factors a easy majority of sure votes in 2024. Abortion is at present authorized by way of 24 weeks in Nevada, and Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo signed protections for out-of-state sufferers into regulation in Could.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. Abortion is banned after 24 weeks.
New Jersey
The Backyard State doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. Abortion is authorized all through being pregnant.
New Mexico
The state doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. Abortion is authorized all through being pregnant.
New York
Voters will determine in 2024 whether or not to codify a state Equal Rights Modification that features protections towards discrimination over “being pregnant, being pregnant outcomes, reproductive healthcare and autonomy.” Abortion is at present authorized till the purpose of viability.
North Carolina
North Carolina doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. Abortion is banned at 12 weeks.
North Dakota
North Dakota doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. Abortion is totally banned, with restricted exceptions.
Ohio
On November 7, Ohio voters authorized Concern 1, enshrining abortion entry till the purpose of viability within the state structure.
Oklahoma
The Sooner State doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. Professional-choice rights activists tried to tee up an abortion rights vote this 12 months, however withdrew it to discover a higher time to get the greater than 170,000 required signatures to place the measure on the November 2024 poll. Abortion is totally banned, with the one exception being to save lots of the pregnant particular person’s life.
Oregon
State Democrats have proposed a constitutional modification to guard abortion entry, same-sex marriage, and gender-affirming care. If it passes the state legislature, Oregonians will get to vote on it in November. Proper now, individuals can get abortion care at any level in being pregnant.
Pennsylvania
In December 2023, Democratic lawmakers in Pennsylvania launched a constitutional modification that would supply for private reproductive liberty, together with abortion. If it passes each chambers of the state legislature, Pennsylvanians will be capable to vote to move or reject the modification, although the Penn Capital-Star reported the earliest referendum might solely occur in spring 2025.
In November, Pennsylvanians voted to position Daniel McCaffery, who portrayed himself as an abortion rights defender, on the state supreme courtroom. Abortion is banned at 24 weeks.
Rhode Island
The state doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. Abortion is banned on the level of viability.
South Carolina
South Carolina doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. Abortion is banned at six weeks, earlier than most individuals know they’re pregnant.
South Dakota
Advocacy group Dakotans for Well being is accumulating signatures for a 2024 poll initiative, “Restore Roe v. Wade,” that may make abortion care authorized within the first trimester and permit the state to manage abortion within the second and third trimesters. Abortion is at present banned in any respect factors of being pregnant, with restricted exceptions.
Tennessee
Tennessee doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. Abortion is totally banned, with restricted exceptions.
Texas
The Lone Star State doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. Abortion is totally banned, with restricted exceptions.
Utah
Utah doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. Abortion is banned after 18 weeks.
Vermont
The state doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. In November 2022, voters authorized Proposition 5, which constitutionally protects abortion at any level throughout being pregnant.
Virginia
Virginia doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. Abortion is banned after 26 weeks and 6 days.
Washington
Washington state doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. Abortion is banned on the level of viability.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C. doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. Abortion is authorized in any respect phases of being pregnant.
West Virginia
The state doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. Abortion is totally banned, with restricted exceptions, and the state structure consists of language that explicitly excludes abortion rights.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle, although GOP Sen. Ron Johnson has advocated for a vote on a 12-week ban. The state bans abortion at 22 weeks.
Wyoming
The state doesn’t at present have a poll initiative within the upcoming election cycle. Abortion is banned on the level of viability.
Correction: An earlier model of this story misstated Oregon’s present abortion coverage. Oregon has no gestational restrict on abortion care.
This piece was initially printed on October 11, 2023.
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