One of presidential candidate Kamala Harris’ most important election issues was the right to self-determined abortion. But voters, who believe abortion should be largely legal, only supported Harris by 51 percent to 47 percent.
This may indicate that Trump’s attempt to make his position less clear was successful – and helped to weaken what was seen as one of Harris’ strengths.
Trump said before the election that he was against a national ban on abortion, but that he believed that the states themselves could decide how strict or liberal their own laws should be.
The question of abortion was on the ballot in ten of the US states.
Three losses
Advocates for abortion rights lost in Florida, Nebraska and South Dakota, but won in the other states where abortion rights were on the ballot. This was the case, among other things, in deeply conservative Missouri, where a new decision opens the door to lifting one of the strictest abortion bans in the country.
In Arizona, Colorado and Maryland, voters also voted for women’s right to decide for themselves on the abortion issue. Nevada voters also approved an amendment, but they must approve it again in 2026 for it to take effect.
In New York, an amendment prohibiting discrimination on the basis of “pregnancy outcome” was passed. It means that women should not be discriminated against because of what happened to their pregnancy.
Sasha Ahuja, who heads the “New Yorkers for Equal Rights” campaign, characterizes the result as a “tremendous victory for all New Yorkers.”
In Montana, voters voted to amend the state constitution to guarantee the right to abortion. The change will thus maintain the current law in Montana, where abortion is legal.
Missouri
Abortion advocates in deeply conservative Missouri made it clear that they wanted to change the state’s strict practice.
Until now, abortion has been completely prohibited except for medical emergencies, but without exception for rape or incest. An opinion poll earlier this year showed that 52 percent of voters are supporters of abortion up to around week 24.
– Today, people in Missouri have made history and sent a clear message: Decisions related to pregnancy – including abortion, contraception and treatment in the event of miscarriage – are personal and private and should be up to the individual and the family, not politicians, says Rachel Sweet, who has led the campaign to remove the abortion ban.
The ban and other restrictive laws are not automatically lifted. Campaigners must now ask the courts to overturn the laws to bring them into line with the new rulings.
Not in Florida
Voters in Florida, on the other hand, voted no to constitutionalize the right to abortion. The state thus retains Governor Ron DeSantis’ ban on abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.
An amendment to the state constitution required at least 60 percent of voters to support the proposal, which they did not. Thus, the ban on abortion after week six is maintained.
Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the national anti-abortion group SBA Pro-Life America, described the result as “a significant victory for life in Florida and for our entire country.” She praised DeSantis for leading the fight against the changes.
Trump vs
Presidential candidate Donald Trump, who himself lives in Florida, said he would vote against the abortion proposal, after he initially seemed to want to support the change in the law.
Florida’s no vote marks the first time an attempt to protect abortion rights has failed since the federal right to abortion, known as Roe v. Wade ruling, was removed by the US Supreme Court in 2022.
Many do not yet know that they are pregnant in the sixth week of their pregnancy, which has led, among other things, to the White House being very critical of Florida’s current abortion law.
Abortion practice
Today, 13 states in the USA prohibit abortion throughout pregnancy, but with a few exceptions. Four states prohibit abortion after around six weeks.
Despite the bans, the number of abortions has increased slightly, partly because more people are using abortion pills, and there are organized networks that help women travel to places where abortion is permitted.
Advocates for self-determined abortion, however, emphasize that the bans have made it more difficult to access abortion, especially for low-income women and minorities in the states with strict laws.
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**Interview with Rachel Sweet, Campaign Leader for Abortion Rights in Missouri**
**Interviewer:** Rachel, thank you for joining us today. Congratulations on the recent developments in Missouri regarding abortion rights. Can you share your thoughts on what this means for women in your state?
**Rachel Sweet:** Thank you for having me! This is indeed a historic moment for us in Missouri. The results indicate that voters are ready for change; they see abortion and related decisions as personal matters that should not be regulated by politicians. It’s a signal that we are moving toward a more compassionate and understanding approach to women’s rights and healthcare.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like a significant shift in perspective. What specific changes are you hoping to see now that voters have expressed support for lifting the strict abortion ban?
**Rachel Sweet:** Primarily, we want to ensure that our laws reflect the will of the people. Right now, we have a complete ban except for medical emergencies, with no exceptions for rape or incest. Practical changes need to happen, such as allowing access to safe abortions up to around week 24, as supported by polling. We’re also seeking to remove other restrictive laws that have limited women’s choices for far too long.
**Interviewer:** We’ve seen similar measures across other states where abortion rights were on the ballot. What do you think the overall trend indicates about public sentiment on this issue?
**Rachel Sweet:** The results across the nation show a clear pattern: there is widespread support for abortion rights. Even in traditionally conservative areas like Missouri, voters have made it clear they want to dictate their own healthcare decisions. This momentum can lead to a more standard acceptance of reproductive rights as fundamental human rights.
**Interviewer:** On the flip side, there were setbacks in states like Florida and South Dakota. How do you view these outcomes in the broader context of the fight for abortion rights?
**Rachel Sweet:** Yes, it’s disheartening to see losses in some states, but it also shows us how crucial it is to keep engaging voters. The polarization around abortion means that we need to continue educating and mobilizing communities everywhere. Even in the face of setbacks, we can draw strength from the victories to push for change in those challenging environments.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what steps will you and your organization take next following this victory?
**Rachel Sweet:** The immediate next step is to work with legal experts to challenge the existing restrictive laws based on the new voter sentiment. We need to ensure these new decisions are recognized in our legal system. Additionally, we will continue our outreach to empower women and ensure they know their rights and options moving forward. This is just the beginning of a larger movement for reproductive justice in Missouri and beyond.
**Interviewer:** Thank you so much for your insights, Rachel, and for the important work you’re doing. Best of luck in your efforts moving forward!
**Rachel Sweet:** Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to share our message.
