In ten American states, parallel to the presidential election, votes were cast on strengthening or expanding abortion rights. In Florida, voters said no to overturning the state's tough abortion rules, reports news agency AP.
This means a victory for Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, whose ban on abortion after the sixth week of pregnancy will therefore remain in place.
A majority of Americans are in favor of abortion rights, according to several measurements. This also applies to Florida – but there, 60 percent was required for the yes-side to win.
57 percent of the state's voters voted for strengthened abortion rights, and thus lost to the 43 percent who voted against, according to NBC.
If the yes-side had won, abortion would have been allowed until the fetus is deemed able to survive outside the mother's body, which is usually around week 24 of pregnancy.
"Lost a lot"
At the Democrats' election watch party in Palm Beach, Florida, volunteer worker Donna is disappointed.
Here in Florida, we've lost a lot locally, she says to TT's correspondent, mentioning among other things abortion rights.
In Colorado – which already has among the most liberal abortion laws in the US – voters have instead said yes to securing abortion rights in the state's constitution, reports AP.
Also in Missouri, Arizona, Nevada, Maryland, New York, and Montana, it was yes to expanded constitutional protection for abortion rights. For Nevada's part, another referendum is required in 2026 for the change to take effect.
In Arizona, where abortion has so far been banned from week 15, abortion will now be allowed until the fetus is deemed viable, writes The Hill.
Majority is in favor
In Nebraska, voters said no to expanding abortion rights. This means that the state's current legislation, which prohibits abortion after week 12, will remain in place.
Voters in South Dakota said no to a proposal to add abortion rights to the state's constitution.
Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has placed great emphasis on the abortion issue and promised to try to restore abortion rights nationally if she becomes president. Republican Donald Trump has instead pushed the issue aside and said it is a matter for each state to decide.
