Is abortion on the ballot in your state?
Click a state to learn more about what's on the ballot in each state election
What is a ballot initiative?
A ballot initiative is a mechanism by which constituents can directly propose laws and constitutional amendments for a local or state government.
Typically, this process is voted on by including it on the November ballot in an election. Many states are now making progress to either include pro-life protections into state law or to oppose such pro-life measures, including amendments to codify pro-abortion laws into the state constitution.
How does an initiative make it on the ballot?
There are two primary methods by which ballot initiatives, such as a constitutional amendment, can be brought forth.
The first method requires a certain amount of signatures from citizens to be gathered, which varies between states.
The second method requires an initiative to be submitted to the state legislature, where legislators determine whether or not the measure makes it to the ballot.
What is happening in fall 2024?
Numerous abortion state ballot initiatives are being decided by voters this fall, many of which seek to protect or harm preborn children. As the legal landscape has shifted following the decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization in 2022 to overturn Roe v. Wade, the issue of abortion rights has taken center stage in state-level politics. Both pro-life and pro-abortion advocates have increasingly turned to these initiatives as a means to advance their policy objectives.
As you will see in the below summaries, many states refer in their ballot initiatives to the term “fetal viability” to mean the age at which a preborn child can survive outside his/her mother’s womb. Currently, this age is estimated at 24 weeks of gestation, although this may fluctuate with future technological advancements.
Overview of abortion state ballot initiatives in 2024 November election
State | What’s on the ballot | Result | Requirement to Pass | Explainer | Bulletin Insert |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
ARIZONA | Arizona Abortion Access Act – Constitutional Amendment | Anti-life, Pro-abortion | 50% approval of voters to pass | How you can stand for life in Arizona’s upcoming election | Standing for Life in Arizona’s Upcoming Election |
State | What’s on the ballot | Result | Requirement to Pass | Explainer | Bulletin Insert |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
COLORADO | Colorado Right to Abortion – Constitutional Amendment | Anti-life, Pro-abortion | 55% approval of voters to pass | How you can stand for life in Colorado’s upcoming election | Standing for Life in Colorado’s Upcoming Election |
State | What’s on the ballot | Result | Requirement to Pass | Article |
---|---|---|---|---|
FLORIDA | Constitutional Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion | Anti-life, Pro-abortion | 60% approval of voters is required to pass | How Florida Baptists are standing for life in Florida’s upcoming election |
State | What’s on the ballot | Result | Requirement to Pass | Explainer | Bulletin Insert | Slide Graphic |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MARYLAND | Maryland Right to Reproductive Freedom Constitutional Amendment | Anti-life, Pro-abortion | 50% approval of voters required to pass | How you can stand for life in Maryland’s upcoming election | Standing for Life in Maryland’s Upcoming Election | Right click graphic to save |
State | What’s on the ballot | Result | Requirement to Pass | Explainer | Bulletin Insert | Slide Graphic |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MISSOURI | Right to Reproductive Freedom Constitutional Amendment | Anti-life, Pro-abortion | 50% approval of voters required to pass | Explainer: How you can stand for life in Missouri’s upcoming election | Standing for Life in Missouri’s Upcoming Election | Right click graphic to save |
State | What’s on the ballot | Result | Requirement to Pass | Explainer | Bulletin Insert | Slide Graphic |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
MONTANA | Montana Right to Abortion – Constitutional Amendment | Anti-life, Pro-abortion | 50% approval of voters required to pass | How you can stand for life in Montana’s upcoming election | Standing for Life in Montana’s Upcoming Election | Right click graphic to save |
State | What’s on the ballot | Result | Requirement to Pass | Explainer | Bulletin Insert | Slide Graphic |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NEBRASKA (1 of 2 intiatives) | Nebraska Right to Abortion – Constitutional Amendment | Anti-life, Pro-abortion | Since two initiatives on the ballot address the same issue, the one with the most total votes will prevail if both initiatives pass. | How you can stand for life in Nebraska’s upcoming election | Standing for Life in Nebraska’s upcoming election | Right click graphic to save |
State | What’s on the ballot | Result | Requirement to Pass | Explainer | Bulletin Insert | Slide Graphic |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
NEBRASKA (2 of 2 initiatives) | Nebraska Protects Women and Children Amendment – Constitutional Amendment | Anti-abortion, Pro-life | Since two initiatives on the ballot address the same issue, the one with the most total votes will prevail if both initiatives pass. | How you can stand for life in Nebraska’s upcoming election | Standing for Life in Nebraska’s upcoming election | Right click graphic to save |
State | What’s on the ballot | Result | Requirement to Pass | Explainer | Bulletin Insert |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
NEVADA | Nevada Reproductive Rights Amendment – Constitutional Amendment | Anti-life, Pro-abortion | 50% approval of voters required to pass | How you can stand for life in Nevada’s upcoming election | Standing for Life in Nevada’s Upcoming Election |
State | What’s on the ballot | Result | Requirement to Pass | Explainer | Bulletin Insert |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
NEW YORK | Equal Protection of Law Amendment – Constitutional Amendment | Anti-life, Pro-abortion | 50% approval of voters required to pass | How you can stand for life in New York’s upcoming election | Standing for Life in New York’s Upcoming Election |
State | What’s on the ballot | Result | Requirement to Pass | Explainer | Bulletin Insert |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
SOUTH DAKOTA | South Dakota Right to Abortion Initiative – Constitutional Amendment | Anti-life, Pro-abortion | 50% approval of voters required to pass | How you can stand for life in South Dakota’s upcoming election | Standing for Life in South Dakota’s Upcoming Election |
Prayer Guide for the pro-life movement
Praying for Life
Christians are called to stand for life and seek justice for the most vulnerable among us—and one of the ways we can do that is by praying for life. In prayer, we can unite for the sanctity of life, focusing on:
- the preborn,
- their families, and
- the many individuals involved in tirelessly promoting a culture of life in our world today.
Let us pray with hope, faith, and love, trusting in God’s sovereignty and reflecting his heart for our neighbors.
Download a slide graphic to use in your church.
Want to know the latest political and cultural issues affecting you and your church?
Sign up today for The Weekly, an exclusive email rundown highlighting the week’s top news stories from the public square and providing commentary on the big issues of our day.