Abortion rights weren’t the story of the midterms. They still won.
On Tuesday night, voters cast their ballots in favor of abortion access in Missouri, Nevada, and Virginia, reflecting the continued popularity of the issue across red, blue, and purple states, even as it fell out of the political conversation compared to other topics this cycle. All told, the abortion rights victories in this latest election […]
Abortion rights were not the headline of the 2026 midterms, yet they secured a significant victory. Voters in Missouri, Nevada, and Virginia approved abortion access, demonstrating the issue's continued relevance across various political landscapes, even as it receded from the political discourse compared to other topics. The result will bolster or maintain abortion protections for millions of women of reproductive age and thousands more traveling from more restrictive regions for care.
This brings the total number of states where voters backed abortion rights in ballot referendums since the 2022 Roe v. Wade overturn to 14. The only loss of the night came from Idaho, where a citizen-led initiative to modify a strict abortion ban fell short. The measure aimed to allow abortion up to fetal viability (typically 22-24 weeks) and in medical emergencies.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opposed the measure in September, while national reproductive rights groups largely stayed away from investing in the campaign. "We will see more doctors leave the state as a result of this election," stated Melanie Folwell, executive director of Idahoans United for Women and Families.
"And, most urgently, women will continue to suffer needlessly under one of the most cruel abortion bans in the nation."
Written by urgent.news from Vox's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
