States Show Divide on Abortion Rights Amendments

In South Dakota, voters rejected a constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights, maintaining one of the country's strictest bans, only allowing abortions to save the mother's life. The amendment would have permitted abortions in the first trimester but lacked support from local ACLU and Planned Parenthood groups. In contrast, Missouri voters approved Amendment 3, enshrining reproductive rights in the state constitution, overturning a near-total abortion ban and allowing abortions up to fetal viability. This amendment faced significant opposition from state officials but ultimately prevailed with 54% of the vote. Florida's similar measure failed to pass, keeping the state's six-week abortion ban intact, a result seen as a political victory for Governor Ron DeSantis. The differing outcomes reflect a deep national divide on abortion rights post-Roe v. Wade.