This op-ed is part of an investigative series and new documentary, The A-Word , by The Independent examining the state of abortion access and reproductive care in the US after the fall of Roe v Wade.
As Americans prepare to cast their ballots in a historic presidential election, a record number of voters will determine the future of abortion access in their home states.
On November 5, citizens in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, and South Dakota will check “yes” or “no” on ballot measures that could enshrine abortion rights in their respective state constitutions. In South Dakota, where abortion is banned without exceptions for rape or incest, constituents will weigh in on Ballot Measure G , which would restore Roe v Wade -era abortion protections to the point of fetal viability.
In Florida, where abortion is banned after six weeks gestation — before many people even know they’re pregnant — voters will decide on Amendment 4 , which if passed will prohibit the government from banning, penalizing, delaying, or restricting abortion access before viability.