By: Lilianna Chelidze

Abortion has been a long-debated topic in America, and, after the reversal of Roe v. Wade, it has become more contentious than ever. With federal-level protections on abortion collapsing in 2022, many states quickly moved to impose extreme bans with certain “protections.” In the years following these bans, women have died due to their inability to receive affordable abortive procedures; this especially happens in states like Texas, where abortion law is so strict that it isn’t allowed in the first trimester. 

This year, ten states had propositions concerning abortion on their ballots: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, and South Dakota. Of these ten, only seven were passed. In Missouri, voters made sure their voices were heard. Before the election, Missouri had a complete ban on abortion, and a judge attempted to block the ballot measure that proposed an overturn. In spite of this, ~52% of Missourians voted to pass Amendment 3 in order to provide the right for reproductive freedom. 

In Florida, an amendment needs a supermajority to be passed; this means that their quota is 60%. In spite of the 57% of voters who marked yes on their ballots, their measure (Amendment 4) did not pass. This means that Florida will maintain its six-week abortion ban. Nebraska and South Dakota joined Florida in their inability to pass abortion legislature this year, with Nebraska simultaneously passing an amendment prohibiting abortion in the second and third trimester. 

In a post Roe v. Wade America, many women have felt as though they are under attack by their legislative governments. In 2022, there was a rise in abortion-related protests, including school walkouts and speeches at women’s marches. In the face of a tumultuous future regarding access to healthcare, stories like Missouri’s are needed; even in dark and scary times, our voices can be heard.