Seven US states expanded the rights as Florida’s vote failed

Voters in seven states approved measures to protect or expand abortion rights, but a bid to restore protections for the procedure failed in Florida, Montana and Nebraska.

Various questions about access to abortion were on the ballot in 10 states during the landslide election, where the issue held sway with many voters.

A proposal in Florida would have allowed abortions until the fetus is viable or about 24 weeks, but fell short of the 60% support threshold to pass.

An amendment aimed at ending a near-total ban on abortion in Missouri, where the majority of voters support Donald Trump, won, however.

Official results from some of the states where abortion is voted on including Nebraska and Montana are pending on the BBC’s US news partner, CBS News, but other news outlets, including the Associated Press, have called those races.

This is the first presidential contest since the US Supreme Court overturned it the national right to abortion two years ago.

This decision has prompted many states to introduce bans or strict restrictions on this practice, to be reduced reaching millions of American women.

Arizona, Nebraska, Nevada, Florida, Maryland, New York, Missouri, Montana, Colorado and South Dakota responded to questions about access to the election ballot.

While the vote looked different in each of the 10 states, the majority questioned whether the right to abortion until the fetus is alive should be included.

Since the ruling, campaigns to restore or protect abortion access through statewide ballot propositions have been successful, including in conservative states like Kansas.

Vice President Kamala Harris has also leaned on the abortion issue throughout her campaign.

A change introduced by the US Supreme Court in June 2022.

After the Roe v Wade ruling – which guaranteed women the right to have an abortion until the fetus is viable – was overturned, Missouri became the first state to ban abortion, except in emergencies.

In Arizona, more than 60% of voters supported an amendment to protect the right to abortion up to the point of possibility. The measure extends access from the current 15 weeks allowed under state law.

Internal campaigners In Florida he proposed this amendment as a way to circumvent the strict law passed earlier this year, which banned abortion after the sixth week of pregnancy, without certain restrictions.

Trump had appeared to support the move, however he said he would vote against it after finding comfort within his group.

The scale also deals with power opposition from Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who used them state resources to persuade voters to vote “no”.

Florida’s amendment won the support of 57% of voters, according to the Washington Post.

Betsy Linkhorst, a first-time voter in Florida, said the result in her state left her “heartbroken, scared and frankly, worried about the future”.

“This was a very important opportunity to protect women’s rights and our ability to make decisions about our bodies,” said the 18-year-old.

Maria McNally, who voted for the amendment, said she believed it would have allowed abortion up until conception.

“I’m glad it failed,” he said.

In Nebraska, one of two abortion programs passed Tuesday. Voters put the current 12-week ban on the state constitution into law with exceptions, including sex with a relative, rape and saving the life of a pregnant woman, according to the Associated Press.

Montana voters support adding abortion protections to the state constitution that include the right to have an abortion until the fetus is viable, according to the Associated Press.

In Maryland and Colorado, where abortion is currently legal, voters approved measures to enshrine the right to due process in the state constitution.

In Colorado’s case, the amendment would also expand access, allowing abortion to be covered under state health insurance plans.

Nevada voters have also approved a measure to enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution. Under current laws, it is allowed until the 24th week, without protecting the health of the mother.

A majority of voters would have to approve the measure again in two years for the amendment to pass.

South Dakota – where abortion is prohibited unless necessary to save the life of the mother – rejected a proposal to establish a legal right to abortion.

New York, where abortion is legal until possible, approved an amendment that would prevent discrimination based on pregnancy or reproductive health.

In Arizona, where abortion is currently legal until the 15th week of pregnancy, voters approved a proposal to protect the right to abortion until the 24th week.