Voters in four states—Missouri, Idaho, Nevada, and Virginia—will decide on ballot measures this November that could reshape abortion access in their states, following the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.
Missouri voters will weigh a measure to repeal the 2024 Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative, which currently enshrines constitutional protections for abortion. A yes vote would remove those protections, allowing abortion only in cases of rape, incest, medical emergencies, or certain fetal anomalies, and only up to 12 weeks of pregnancy. The measure would also require parental consent for minors seeking an abortion.
Idaho’s Proposition 1, set for the 2026 ballot, would permit abortion up to fetal viability if passed. After viability, abortion would be allowed only in cases of medical emergency. The measure also addresses broader reproductive healthcare, including contraception and miscarriage management.
Nevada’s Question 6, a citizen-initiated ballot measure, would enshrine abortion access in the state constitution, permitting abortion before fetal viability. The measure was approved by voters in 2024 and must pass again this year to take effect, as required by Nevada’s constitution for citizen-led amendments.
Virginia’s Question 1, referred by the legislature, would legally protect the right to abortion, which is not currently guaranteed in the state constitution. The measure would establish abortion protections beyond the current statutory framework.
Early voting for the midterm elections begins in several states, including Virginia, Idaho, Minnesota, and South Dakota, ahead of the November 3 election. The ballot measures on abortion coincide with broader contests for control of Congress, where all 435 House seats and 35 Senate seats are up for election. Issues such as inflation, immigration, and foreign policy are also central to voter decision-making.
Election officials have stated they are prepared for the vote, emphasizing the security and accuracy of the process. However, debates over election integrity and voting methods remain a contentious backdrop to the midterms, with ongoing legal challenges and political disputes over election administration in some states.