Florida, Two Other States Defy Trend and Vote Down Abortion Rights

Voters in Florida, Missouri, and Louisiana have rejected ballot measures that would have enshrined abortion rights in their state constitutions.

The outcome in Florida was particularly surprising, as polls had shown the measure leading in the weeks before the election. The amendment would have added language to the state constitution stating that "the right to terminate a pregnancy is a fundamental right of each individual." It was defeated by a margin of 56% to 44%, with more than 80% of the vote counted.

In Missouri, the amendment would have overturned a state law that bans abortion after eight weeks of pregnancy.

It was defeated by a margin of 53% to 47%. In Louisiana, the amendment would have repealed a state law that requires women to obtain a doctor's referral before getting an abortion. It was defeated by a margin of 62% to 38%.

The results of these votes come as a blow to abortion rights advocates, who had hoped to use the ballot measures to expand abortion access in conservative states.

They also represent a setback for the Biden administration, which has made protecting abortion rights a priority. The Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization earlier this year overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling that had legalized abortion nationwide. The decision has left abortion rights up to individual states, and many states are expected to pass new restrictions or bans on the procedure.

The results of these votes show that there is still a strong divide in the country over abortion rights.

While abortion rights advocates have made some progress in recent years, they still face significant opposition from anti-abortion groups and politicians. The results of these votes also suggest that the Supreme Court's decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization is likely to have a significant impact on abortion access in the United States.