Ballot Measures on Abortion Access

Overview

In the wake of the recent Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, in which the U.S. Supreme Court held that there is no constitutional right to abortion, state action becomes all the more important for those seeking access to abortion or other types of reproductive health care. While there are existing abortion protections in state statutes and in state constitutions as interpreted by state courts, these protections are being litigated and decided via ballot measures. Ballot measures are one way that states pass new laws. These measures are especially relevant as at least five states will vote on ballot measures regarding abortion access in 2022 and three states already approved ballot measures in 2018 and 2020. This resource provides the details on these ballot measures.