Three US states vote for life, but seven back pro-abortion rules

Florida, Nebraska and South Dakota have all voted down measures that would have liberalised abortion law.

Ten states voted on expanding abortion access alongside the US general election. While three states voted against, the other seven passed amendments to remove protections for the unborn.

In Missouri there is already a legal challenge expected to counter a pro-abortion amendment that was voted through by 51.6 per cent.

Voting for life

Matt Heffron, Thomas More Society Senior Counsel, congratulated Nebraskans, saying: “When faced with a choice between a radical abortion expansion initiative and a pro-life alternative, voters in the Cornhusker State opted to choose life at the ballot box”.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, President of Pro-Life America stated: “The demise of pro-abortion Amendment 4 is a momentous victory for life in Florida and for our entire country”.

And South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem posted on X: “South Dakotans voted for LIFE tonight! Our state has the highest birth rate in the nation because our people have HOPE. And we will continue to take care of moms and their babies both before birth and after.”

South Dakotans voted for LIFE tonight! Our state has the highest birth rate in the nation because our people have HOPE. And we will continue to take care of moms and their babies both before birth and after. pic.twitter.com/VCL8Eid9RF

— Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) November 6, 2024

Legal challenges

Lawsuits launched in the summer by abortion activists in Nebraska and Texas have failed to overturn protections for the unborn.

In July, the Nebraska Supreme Court struck down a claim by Planned Parenthood and the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) that a law banning abortions after twelve weeks violated state rules.

And in May, judges in Texas rejected an attempt by the Centre for Reproductive Rights (CRR) to weaken the state’s pro-life laws.