Which 10 states are voting on abortion rights this election? What does it mean for the presidency?

Ten states are voting on abortion-related measures today, representing about one-fifth of the U.S. population. This widespread ballot initiative comes in the wake of the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, which eliminated federal protection for abortion rights.

These states are:

Each state is voting upon enshrining greater abortion protections into the state legislature. Currently, about two dozen states have enacted restrictions since Roe’s reversal, with 14 implementing near-total bans with limited exceptions. This makes these votes massively consequential for women’s rights.

While states have pushed against abortion access, the public as a whole is massively in support of it. 63% of Americans say it should be legal in all or most cases, comapred to just 36% saying the opposite. This has forced Republicans to backtrack from calling for nationwide abortion bans, instead leaving it out from the electoral discussion.

Since Roe’s reversal, abortion has become a decisive electoral issue, with abortion rights advocates winning every ballot initiative, even in conservative states like Ohio, Kentucky, and Kansas. This trend has contributed to Republican struggles in recent elections, including the 2022 midterms.

Post-Roe voting pattern always falling on one side

The track record of abortion-related votes since Roe’s overturn has been remarkably consistent. Voters in six states have already weighed in on constitutional amendments regarding abortion, with the side favoring access prevailing in every instance. California, Michigan, Ohio, and Vermont approved measures protecting abortion rights, while Kentucky and Kansas rejected attempts to restrict access.