Here are the states where abortion rights were prevalent in the 2024 election

While the nation once again fell short of electing its first woman president, there were notable gains in the fight for reproductive rights across the country, as well as historic breakthroughs in Congress and state office. in width.

In her acceptance speech on Wednesday, Vice President Kamala Harris acknowledged the urgency of women’s reproductive freedom than ever before.

“I will not give up the fight for a future where Americans can pursue their dreams, their aspirations and their aspirations, where American women are free to make decisions about their own bodies and have their government tell them so. who should do it,” he said. he said, urging his supporters to continue “the fight for freedom, opportunities, justice and dignity for all people.”

On Election Day, millions of voters in 10 states took on 11 ballot measures directly addressing abortion access, each with far-reaching implications for the future of the health of women and pregnant women since the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade in 2022.

Abortion rights wins – and losses

Constitutional amendments to protect or expand abortion passed in seven of the 10 states where they appeared on the ballot Tuesday, NBC News reported.

Voters in Arizona and Missouri have approved ballot initiatives that would effectively protect abortion rights until a fetus is viable and repeal existing abortion laws on the books.

Maryland, Montana, Nevada and New York (where abortion is already illegal for fetal viability) and Colorado (where there are no abortion laws and no pregnancy limits for women who want abortion), voters have passed measures that will legally guarantee those rights. .

Meanwhile, voters in Florida, Nebraska and South Dakota rejected proposed amendments that would have protected abortion rights until the fetus is viable – ending what had been a string of victories votes in favor of abortion rights since Roe was overturned two years ago.

Although a majority of Floridians supported the measure at 57 percent, that fell short of the federally required 60 percent threshold, which was enforced by the state’s Republican-controlled legislature.

The fight to keep women in elected positions

So far, 135 women (97 Democrats, 38 Republicans) will serve in the 119th Congress in 2025 with 28 congressional races too close to call, according to the Center on American Women and Politics.

Although several contests have resulted in historic and notable victories for women in Congress and in statewide elections, the center projects that women’s overall representation will fall as a result of the 2024 election with no exception and one: sovereignty.

Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) won the New Hampshire governor’s race, which would bring the current 12 governors (none of whom were up for election in 2024) to a new record 13.

Ayotte was New Hampshire’s first female attorney general before serving one term in the Senate. He lost his election battle in 2016 until now-Sen. Maggie Hassan.

Ayotte said she supports her state’s abortion law, which allows abortion “for any reason up to six months into pregnancy,” with exceptions during the last trimester for emergencies. medical or life-threatening problems in the baby.

Key Congressional roles for women in 2024

For the first time, two Black women will serve in the Senate at the same time, while voters have also elected a transgender lawmaker to Congress.

Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE)

Democratic Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, 62, will be the first Black woman to represent Delaware in the Senate. She became a politician who made history, she was the first woman and the first black person to represent the country in Congress. Blunt Rochester told NBC News before Election Day that she would prioritize creating jobs, protecting reproductive rights, health care and focusing on the needs of seniors and families.

Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD)

In neighboring Maryland, Democratic challenger Angela Alsobrooks won her Senate race, defeating former Republican governor Larry Hogan and becoming the first Black woman to be elected to represent Maryland in the Senate.

Along with Blunt Rochester, their victory doubled the number of Black women ever elected to the Senate – from two to four.

Sarah McBride (D-DE)

Sen. Sarah McBride of Delaware won a state House seat Tuesday, making her the first openly gay candidate to run for Congress.

McBride’s priorities for his congressional run were expanding access to health care, protecting reproductive rights and increasing the minimum wage. He previously told NBC News that his focus in Congress is working across party lines to bridge the gap and pass legislation — which he became known for during his time in the Delaware Senate. During his first term, he helped pass paid family and medical leave across the country.

Emily Randall (D-WA)

Emily Randall, a two-term Washington State senator, will be the first LGBTQ+ Latina member of Congress, according to NBC News.

A former LGBTQ activist and abortion rights activist, Randall was inspired to run for office after the 2016 election of Donald Trump, according to The Hill. He entered politics in 2018, overturning the seat held by the Republicans. With his victory, Randall broke a 91-year streak in the 6th district of Washington sending only white men to this seat.

Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ)

Yassamin Ansari is expected to be the first African-American woman to represent Arizona in the House of Representatives, having won the country’s 3rd Congressional district representing the Phoenix area. At age 32, she will be the youngest Democrat in the House.

Julie Fedorchak (R-ND)

Julie Fedorchak will be the first woman to represent North Dakota in the US House. The Roughrider State is one of two that, until Tuesday, had never elected a woman to the US House.

With Fedorchak’s victory, only one state is missing this milestone for women: Mississippi.

Nellie For (D-NJ)

New Jersey state Sen. Nellie Pou, who was chosen to replace Rep. Bill Pascrell, who died in August, made history as the first Hispanic woman elected to Congress.

New Jersey’s 9th District is deeply blue — Joe Biden outspent Donald Trump there in 2020 by 19 percent — so Pou was heavily favored to defeat Republican candidate Billy Prempeh. The 9th District, across the Hudson River from Manhattan, has a large Hispanic population, according to NBC News.