Americans voted, and also rejected, abortion rights in some of the 10 states that have the issue on the ballot.
The close race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump for the presidency is not the only vote taking place across the country as Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York and South Dakota ask voters to decide on abortion access.
Ten states will either expand or retain their current abortion rules, except for Nebraska, which is questioning whether to keep the current 12-week ban or enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.
Residents of Maryland voted to include the protection of abortion rights in the state constitution, the Associated Press calls.
In Florida, voters failed to meet the 60 percent requirement to accept abortion rights.
New York has banned discrimination based on gender identity and pregnancy outcome, which voters say also protects access to abortion.
Colorado voted down a ballot measure to guarantee abortion rights and allow public funding.
Data are still being collected for the remaining six states.
States assumed authority to enforce abortion rules after the US Supreme Court’s 2022 decision overturning the constitutional right to abortion under Roe v Wade.
Reproductive freedom was therefore a central issue in Harris’s campaign, appealing to women by promising to pass legislation protecting the rights at the national level.
She was joined by Beyoncé at a rally in Texas on Friday – a battleground for abortion rights as women fight back against some of the strictest laws in the country.
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I promise you that as President of the United States, I will be proud to sign the bill when Congress passes legislation to restore reproductive freedom across the country, Harris told the crowd.
At a rally in Wisconsin last week, Trump tried to win over women by promising to be their protector.
“I want to protect the women of our country. Well, I’m going to do it, whether the women like it or not. I’m going to protect them,” he told the crowd.
Here’s a guide to what voters are up to in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York and South Dakota.
Abortion is legal up to 15 weeks.
At any point in pregnancy, abortion is legal if a doctor determines that there is a medical emergency in which the woman could die, or if there is a risk of significant and irreversible damage to a major bodily function if she continues with the pregnancy.
Voters are wondering whether access to abortion should be expanded up to fetal viability, around 22 to 24 weeks, and enshrined in the state constitution.
Abortion is legal without any restrictions.
Voters were asked whether they would keep the current level of access and enshrine it in the state constitution.
The item was successfully voted on.
Abortion is illegal after six weeks.
Exceptions may apply to the time frame if the pregnancy is the result of rape, incest or human trafficking.
Voters were asked whether access to abortion should be expanded until fetal viability, around 22 to 24 weeks, or if the woman’s health or life is at risk, as determined by a doctor.
But the effort to reduce the state’s strict ban on abortion failed.
Abortion is legal without any restrictions.
Voters were asked whether they would keep the current level of access and enshrine it in the state constitution.
The matter passed on the ballots and will be protected within the framework of the constitution.
Abortion is illegal except in medical emergencies.
There are no exceptions to the law in the case of rape, incest or human trafficking.
Voters are wondering whether access to abortion should be expanded up to fetal viability, around 22 to 24 weeks, and enshrined in the state constitution.
It would overturn the state’s strict ban on abortion.
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It is also legal after that time frame if the woman’s health or life is in serious danger, as determined by a doctor.
Voters are wondering whether to keep the current level of access and enshrine it in the state constitution.
Abortion is illegal after 12 weeks.
Voters are wondering whether to legalize abortion until fetal viability, around 22 to 24 weeks, or uphold the current ban.
Abortion is legal until the fetus is viable, around 22 to 24 weeks.
Voters are wondering whether to keep the current level of access and enshrine it in the state constitution.
Abortion is legal until the fetus is viable, around 22 to 24 weeks.
It is also legal after that period if the woman’s health, life or pregnancy is in danger, as determined by a doctor.
Voters were asked whether they would keep the current level of access and enshrine it in the state constitution.
The matter passed on the ballots and will be protected within the framework of the constitution.
Abortion is illegal unless the woman’s life is in danger.
There are no exceptions in the case of rape, incest or human trafficking.
Voters are being asked whether access should be expanded to allow first- and second-trimester abortions, with regulations.
— Reported by Associated Press, CNN