Florida rejected a proposal expanding the right to abortion, while Maryland and New York enshrined the right in the Constitution. In some states the legalization of cannabis was also voted.
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Voters in many North American states went to the polls on Tuesday to do more than elect the new president of the United States. In some polls, they also voted on issues such as access to abortion or the legalization of cannabis, sometimes to give the green light and other times to reject. And even on the minimum wage, voters were asked to comment.
Regarding abortion, 10 states adopted measures to expand access, in some cases by modifying their respective constitutions (Arizona, Florida, Missouri and South Dakota), and in others, enshrining that right in the Constitution of their respective states (Colorado , Maryland, Montana). , Nevada and New York). Nebraska voted on two proposals: one to enshrine the right in the state Constitution up to the so-called point of “fetal viability,” beyond which the fetus can survive outside the womb, which is typically considered to occur at the 24th week of pregnancy. gestation; and another to preserve the ban on abortion after 12 weeks.
The results known until five in the morning this Wednesday, continental Portuguese time, indicate that in Maryland the right has been enshrined in the state Constitution. Abortion is already legal in that state, but this amendment makes it harder to pass future laws that limit reproductive rights without violating the state constitution. According to CNN, supporters of the measure argue that this approval, although it does not change much in the lives of residents of the state, could strengthen the reproductive rights of women who live outside of it.
New York also gave the green light to an amendment that protects access to abortion by including anti-discrimination language in that state’s Constitution. Like Colorado, which enshrines existing laws on abortion rights, including protections for women, in the Constitution. In this state, the application of public funds to guarantee the right to terminate pregnancy was also voted.
In Florida, voters failed on an amendment to the law that required 60% of the vote to pass and extend the right to the point of “viability,” maintaining the ban in most cases after six weeks. pregnancy (there are exceptions for cases of pregnancy). rape, when there are malformations in the fetus or when the mother’s life is at risk). The proposal had encountered strong opposition from the beginning from the Republican Party, including Governor Ron DeSantis, so the vote was seen as a political victory for Republicans.
In 2022, the United States Supreme Court decided to overturn Roe v. Wade who, in 1973, allowed voluntary termination of pregnancy. The decision was approved by six conservative judges compared to three liberal ones. After that, several states limited access to abortion.
Regarding cannabis, three states voted in favor of legalizing the use of cannabis for recreational purposes (in addition to Florida, which approved it, North Dakota and South Dakota, where the results were not yet known as of the publication of this article) .
In the case of Florida, the measure in question, if approved, would have allowed people 21 years of age or older (inclusive) to carry 85 grams of cannabis, explains the Washington Post.
In addition to abortion and cannabis, the minimum wage was also voted on: Alaska, Arizona, California, Massuchusetts and Missouri voted on proposals to increase the minimum wage. The result is only known in Missouri, which approved the measure: it will increase the minimum wage from $12 an hour to $13.75 in January 2025 and in 2026 to $15 an hour and will force many employers to guarantee paid sick leave. .
Source: Observadora
