The June 2022 decision by a Supreme Court shaped by Donald Trump's appointments to reverse the federal right to abortion created an uproar in the United States, where it enjoyed the support of a strong majority of Americans. The anger aroused by this decision went a long way to explaining the resilience of the Democratic Party in that year's mid-term elections, traditionally devastating for the party occupying the White House.

The Democrats subsequently scored notable successes in Republican strongholds such as Ohio and Kentucky, in referendums aimed at protecting women's right to control their own bodies. Kamala Harris, who campaigned nationwide on this issue after the Supreme Court ruling was published, then placed this fight at the heart of her presidential campaign. On October 26, she was joined in Kalamazoo, Michigan, by former first lady Michelle Obama, who made a passionate plea for reproductive rights.

The results of the November 5 elections, in which 10 referendums were held on the subject of abortion, showed that it remained central to the concerns of a majority of voters, but that it no longer functioned as an effective springboard for the Democratic candidates also on the ballot. Two Republican strongholds passed measures protecting abortion while otherwise massively supporting Trump in the presidential race: Missouri and Montana, with over 58% of the vote. Arizona, still being counted, could be added to this list.

Three states won by Harris (New York, Maryland, Colorado) and Nevada, won in all four previous presidential elections by Democrats but captured this year by Trump, also protected abortion.

All three setbacks occurred in Republican strongholds. The first was South Dakota, won with 63% of the vote by the former businessman. Abortion advocates failed in Florida, only because the percentage of those voters who supported it (57%) remained below the required threshold (60%) demanded for any constitutional amendment in a state won with a comparable margin (56%) by the Republican candidate. The aim was to reverse the six-week limit in force since May 1.

The situation in Nebraska was more complex, with two competing referendums on the same subject. The one that passed enshrined in the state constitution the first-trimester limit adopted by the single chamber state legislature in 2023, up from 20 weeks previously. Nebraska conservatives campaigned on this ban after the first quarter, making it clear that it was only a first step toward further restrictions.

You have 10.06% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.