Of the 10 abortion measures on state ballots, seven passed this election, paving the way for future abortion protections.

Many voters rallied to support these amendments, even in conservative states. Missouri, which strongly supported Trump and currently has one of the nation’s strictest abortion bans, plans to legalize abortion until fetal viability.

A similar measure in Florida failed to gain the 60% supermajority required to pass but still received 57% of the popular vote in a state where Republican candidates dominated. Despite this loss and most other races shifting rightward, the Nov. 5 results seem to demonstrate the importance of pro-abortion measures in a post-Roe climate.

However, the extent of these policy changes in many states remains uncertain, as Trump administration policy may affect their impact. Trump’s stance on abortion flip-flopped throughout his campaign, but Vice President elect JD Vance and other allies vocally supported abortion restrictions. Specifically, some Republicans want to use the Comstock Act of 1873 to ban all mail that contributes to abortion procedures—an idea originally popularized by Project 2025. This would restrict abortion access without requiring a national ban. 

Regardless, the impact of Tuesday’s abortion amendments will become more clear as the Trump administration lays out its policy goals in the coming months.