Abortion on the Ballot
Abortion is being put on the ballot within the states in 2024. This means that states will vote to enshrine abortion access in November. For many pro-choice advocates, this brings hope to protect a woman’s right to abortion statewide. However, there is still the fear that many will vote against this, leading abortion access to continue to dwindle for many around the country. It is not clear how many states will have abortion on the ballot, but it being a possible option has insight mixed feelings in many women.
Conversations about abortion rights have been extremely prominent in conversation ever since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade, thus removing the nationwide right to abortion. Putting abortion on the ballot can be immensely important for this reason. Abbrielle Kressley, a student at Rutgers University discussed her discontent with abortion rights being violated, “Abortion is healthcare, and if women are denied healthcare that is simply unconstitutional.”
Many women have been outraged about abortion rights being taken away from us, leading to women having some withstanding hope of putting abortion on the ballot. Putting abortion on the ballot means potential protection of abortion rights statewide. Jessica Ditullio, a student at Rutgers University explains the importance of this vote, “I think it’s important that people get to vote about this, especially because we cannot vote who is in our Supreme Court.”
Second-year Rutgers University student, Alexa G. says, “Abortion being on the ballot gives me hope that we are leading towards becoming a better country that prioritizes the rights of women.” This hope is essential in a country that is so roughly divided as some states continue to enforce protections for abortion and have few restrictions towards it, while other states aim to outlaw abortion completely. “Even in a liberal state like New Jersey, it can sometimes feel scary to feel like my key rights are out of my control,” says Alexa.
“I’m thrilled that abortion is going to be on the ballot. I truly believe that most people would support abortion rights if it wasn’t so highly politicized. Those who don’t support abortion rights are turning a blind eye to the real implications of it,” says third-year Rutgers student, Kasey L. There is much merit to Kasey’s statement including a 2022 report from the Pew Research Center that says that only 8% of Americans believe that abortion should be illegal in all cases and only 19% believe that abortion should be legal in all cases, showing that very few people hold an absolutist view toward the topic. 62% of Americans have an opinion but believe that there should be exceptions with 27% believing that it should be illegal in most cases and 36% believing that it should be legal in most cases. If this is the case, then the results of the vote in November should in theory be far more moderate and accepting towards abortion.
Voters in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Ohio and Vermont have already sided with abortion rights through ballot voting, demonstrating success in leaving the issue in the hands of voters. Now, this November, voters in Florida, Maryland, New York, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, South Dakota, and Nevada have or will likely have abortion on the ballot. Some states, however, are withstanding any sort of question. According to the Associated Press, “There are some states where the balance of power or other circumstances make abortion-related measures — most of them seeking bans or limits — unlikely to reach voters in 2024.” In an election year with existing tension among Presidential candidates, the issue of abortion adds yet another layer of controversy and importance. Leaving the issue in the hands of individual states is something that sparks fear in women across the country, and sadness in those who fear for women in states who are unlikely to pass protection for a woman’s right to choose.
Written by: Cat Bahamondes, Alyssa Crammer, Sophie D’Errico
References
Mitchell, T. (2022, May 6). America’s abortion quandary. Pew Research Center. http://www.pewresearch.org/religion/2022/05/06/americas-abortion-quandary/.
Mulvihill, G., & Kruesi, K. (2024, April 10). Which states could have abortion on the ballot in 2024?. AP News. https://apnews.com/article/abortion-ballot-amendment-ban-protection-states-2024-052ff9846f8416efb725240af22b92ec
