As the 2024 U.S. presidential election approaches, abortion rights are poised to play a crucial role in determining the outcome. Voters in ten states will have the opportunity to decide on constitutional amendments aimed at safeguarding abortion access, a pivotal issue that resonates deeply with millions across the country.
According to a recent analysis by the health policy organization KFF, one in six U.S. women of reproductive age considers abortion the most important issue in this year’s election. A New York Times/Siena College poll published in October reveals that abortion ranks as the second-most significant concern for likely voters, following the economy.
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has made abortion a cornerstone of her campaign, pledging to protect and expand reproductive freedoms. Ads released by her campaign spotlight the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which had established abortion as a constitutional right. Harris’s campaign has also highlighted statements from former President Donald Trump, who took credit for the Supreme Court’s conservative shift by appointing three justices who voted to overturn Roe v. Wade.
At a Fox News town hall in January, Trump remarked, “I did it, and I’m proud to have done it.” However, in recent weeks, his stance appears to have shifted. He stated that he would veto a federal abortion ban if elected again, asserting that abortion regulations should be determined at the state level.
The upcoming election will see states including Montana, Arizona, Missouri, Nebraska, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, New York, and South Dakota voting on measures that could expand abortion access. Many of these amendments aim to overturn restrictions implemented after the Supreme Court’s ruling, which led to states enacting tighter abortion laws.
In Missouri, for instance, a “trigger ban” initiated in 2019 banned abortions following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Elizabeth McCush, an 18-year-old voter in Missouri, expressed her concerns: “It was definitely a difficult thing to hear; you’re entering the adult world and suddenly find that a choice was taken away from you.” McCush plans to vote for Amendment 3, which seeks to enshrine abortion access in the state constitution.
Despite the push for Amendment 3, it has faced significant challenges. Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft attempted to block the proposal, claiming it was submitted illegally. Nevertheless, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled that the amendment would appear on the November ballot.
Conversely, Nebraska presents a different scenario with competing initiatives. The “Right to Abortion” measure aims to protect abortion access until fetal viability, while the opposing “Prohibit Abortions” measure seeks to ban abortions in the second and third trimesters, with exceptions for rape, incest, and medical emergencies.
As Election Day approaches, both Democrats and Republicans are closely watching voter sentiment on abortion, recognizing its potential impact not only on state ballots but also on the broader presidential race. With abortion firmly in the spotlight, the election results could shape the future of reproductive rights across the nation.
