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Abortion policy ballot measures
Abortion-related ballot measures in the U.S. | |
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Pages: • Results for abortion-related ballot measures, 2024 • History of abortion ballot measures • Abortion policy ballot measures • Abortion regulations by state |
Voters have decided on abortion-related ballot measures across the U.S. Abortion, as a state ballot measure topic, is defined to include policies related to abortion access and regulations, as well as abortion-related state constitutional rights. The topic is grouped within the social issue policy area.
This page provides information on:
- upcoming ballot measures,
- historical trends, and
- a comprehensive list of ballot measures by year and state.
Upcoming ballot measures
- See also: 2025 ballot measures and 2026 ballot measures
2026
History of abortion ballot measures
- See also: History of abortion ballot measures
Since the 1970s, abortion-related policies have been a topic for statewide ballot measures across the U.S.
From 1970 to 2024, there were 65 abortion-related ballot measures, and 44 (68%) of these had the support of organizations that described themselves as pro-life. Voters approved 12 (27%) and rejected 32 (73%) of these 44 ballot measures. The other 21 abortion-related ballot measures had the support of organizations that described themselves as pro-choice or pro-reproductive rights. Voters approved 15 (71%) and rejected six (29%).
Before Roe v. Wade in 1973, three abortion-related measures were on the ballot in Michigan, North Dakota, and Washington, and each was designed to allow abortion in its respective state.
The following table provides a scorecard on abortion-related ballot measures based on proposed policies or topics since 1970. You can view the complete list here.
Abortion-related ballot measures by topic and outcome, 1970 - 2024 | |||||
Topic | Total | Approved | Approved (%) | Defeated | Defeated (%) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Campaigns described as pro-choice/pro-reproductive rights | 21 | 15 | 71.4% | 6 | 28.6% |
Constitutional rights | 14 | 11 | 78.6% | 3 | 21.4% |
Laws to expand abortion | 6 | 4 | 66.7% | 2 | 33.3% |
Allow public funding[1] | 2 | 1 | 50.0% | 1 | 50.0% |
Campaigns described as pro-life[2] | 44 | 12 | 27.3% | 32 | 72.7% |
Constitutional interpretation | 8 | 4 | 50.0% | 4 | 50.0% |
Personhood amendments | 6 | 0 | 0.0% | 6 | 100.0% |
Laws to regulate abortion | 10 | 1 | 10.0% | 9 | 90.0% |
Prohibit public funding[2] | 11 | 3 | 27.3% | 8 | 72.7% |
Parental notification | 9 | 4 | 44.4% | 5 | 55.6% |
Practitioner requirements | 2 | 0 | 0.0% | 2 | 100.0% |
List of state ballot measures
Click the tabs to view state ballot measures related to abortion, organized by year or state.
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ Note: Ballotpedia classified Colorado Amendment 79 (2024) as related to two topics for the purposes of this chart; the total number of campaigns described as pro-choice ballot measures is 21.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Note: Ballotpedia classified two ballot measures, Arizona Proposition 110 (1992) and Florida Amendment 6 (2012), as related to two topics for the purposes of this chart; the total number of campaigns described as pro-life ballot measures is 44.