Kansas voters on Tuesday rejected a constitutional amendment that would have removed the right to abortion from the state constitution. Since the Supreme Court’s decision to reverse the “Roe v. Wade” which enshrined the use of abortion as a federal right in June, it was the first time that the American population had been polled on this divisive issue across the Atlantic.
Some States did not need to organize a ballot to harden or strengthen access to abortion. In about ten of them, abortion is thus totally prohibited, even in cases of rape or incest. And this figure could climb in the weeks and months to come.
► States where abortion is completely banned or in the process of being banned
A dozen states have completely banned abortion without exception. Others should follow in the coming weeks.
Thus, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, South Dakota, Wisconsin have already acted outright banning abortion. In Texas, where abortion is currently prohibited after six weeks of pregnancy, a law prohibiting abortion without any exceptions should take effect in the coming months. Ditto in Tennessee, Wyoming or Idaho, where a law prohibiting abortion will come into force at the end of August.
► Those in which a decision is expected
In a large part of the States, the situation will evolve in the coming months in particular because the results of the midterm elections in November for seats in Congress and the posts of governors could open the way to protections, restrictions or total bans.
In Pennsylvania, for example, abortion is not protected by law. The Democratic governor has already opposed any restrictions, but the House is led by Republicans which could lead to tighter restrictions or even a ban.
In the center of the country, in the state of Nebraska, termination of pregnancy is currently authorized up to 22 weeks. A bill to enact a total ban failed in the Legislative Assembly this year, but the governor is expected to come back and call a special session to try to pass it.
Finally, some states will submit their decision to a vote. California, Michigan and Vermont will ask if their voters want to affirm the right to abortion by enshrining it in their respective Constitutions, while Kentucky will ask its citizens about the rejection of abortion.
► Those who allow it with restrictions
Several states apply strict rules on access to abortion. This is the case in Ohio, where the period has been reduced to six weeks (and the majority of women do not know that they are pregnant at this stage of pregnancy). This same deadline, which should soon come into effect in Georgia, also applies in South Carolina, where a bill to completely ban abortion is under consideration.
► Those who protect him
Finally, some states will increase access to abortion. In Rhode Island, the smallest state in the United States, the law protects the right to abortion. Going even further, the governor issued an executive order to protect women wishing to travel to Rhodes Island to have an abortion in the event of a ban in their home state.
This is also the case in Nevada, Washington, Virginia, Oregon, New York, New Mexico, Colorado and even New Jersey, which would like to become a “sanctuary” for those who are prohibited from having an abortion.