Voters back abortion rights and reject Trump redistricting in ballot measures

Summarised from 4 outlets · Updated 5 Nov, 10:36 · Archive

Voters in multiple US states approved abortion protections and rejected redistricting measures on Tuesday.

Voters in more than three dozen states decided 145 ballot questions on Tuesday during the midterm elections, delivering a significant rejection of President Trump's legislative agenda. The measures tested support for his attempts to redraw congressional districts, limit transgender athletes in sports and strengthen voter identification requirements.

Abortion-rights advocates achieved victories across several states. In Missouri, voters rejected a constitutional amendment that would have reimposed abortion restrictions. The measure would have allowed abortions only in cases of medical emergencies, fetal anomalies, rape or incest up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. It also would have amended the state constitution to prohibit certain medical procedures for transgender minors. The vote reaffirmed a decision Missouri voters made two years ago, when they became the first state to undo an existing abortion ban.

In Virginia, voters approved a constitutional amendment establishing a 'fundamental right to reproductive freedom', ensuring abortion access during the first two trimesters. The amendment also creates rights to contraception and fertility care. According to the Guardian, Nevada voters approved an amendment enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution, permanently protecting access to abortion through the second trimester after a second referendum, with the measure leading 62.3% to 37.7% when called.

Abortion-rights advocates, led by national progressive groups, heavily outspent abortion opponents in successful campaigns to defeat restrictive measures. The Republican-led legislatures in affected states had referred these ballot measures to voters, placing abortion restrictions directly before the electorate.

Beyond reproductive rights, voters delivered a double dose of disapproval to Trump's redistricting efforts, a practice also known as gerrymandering. The ballot measures provided a political undercard for the high-profile midterm election in which Democrats took control of Congress and gained power in state legislatures and gubernatorial offices.

How it is being reported

• Reproductive rights protected in several states by midterm election ballot measuresVoters in Nevada, Virginia, Missouri and Idaho passed or strengthened protections for women’s reproductive freedom Reproductive rights were on the ballot on Tuesday night as voters weighed in on several abortion -related measures, delivering a largely successful night for reproductive rights advocates encompassed by a historic blue wave . In Nevada , voters approved an amendment enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution, permanently protecting access to abortion through the second trimester after a second referendum on the measure. Continue reading...Guardian World · 5 Nov, 10:00
• Where voters stand on state ballot measures, from abortion to LGBTQ rights to gunsVoters in dozens of states considered 146 statewide ballot measures this midterm cycle, on topics spanning LGBTQ rights, wealth taxes, abortion, redistricting, guns and more.NPR · 4 Nov, 21:49
• US voters back abortion rights and reject Trump's gerrymandering in state ballot measuresUS voters in several states pushed back on President Donald Trump’s redistricting efforts and backed abortion rights in 145 ballot questions during the midterm elections. Some measures put Trump’s priorities to a public test by gauging support for his attempts to redraw congressional districts, limit reproductive rights and strengthen voter identification requirements.France 24 · 4 Nov, 10:49
• Voters deliver fresh abortion wins and deal sharp blow to Trump agenda across 145 state ballot measuresAbortion-rights advocates notched victories in Missouri and Virginia on Tuesday, and voters delivered a double dose of disapproval to President Donald Trump’s redistricting effortsIndependent World · 4 Nov, 08:54

In this story: Donald Trump · Missouri · Virginia · Nevada · Idaho

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