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November 6, 2024 - 3:00am
On Tuesday evening, Florida became the first state to reject a ballot measure expanding abortion access since Roe v. Wade was overturned, the latest sign of the state’s Rightward drift.
The measure, which would have made abortion legal in the state through at least the point of viability, generally determined to fall at around six months’ gestation, garnered 57% of the vote, falling short of the required 60% and virtually tying with Donald Trump’s level of support in the state.
In other direct votes on abortion, red states have so far uniformly voted in favour of legal abortion, including Ohio, Kansas and Kentucky. Florida’s measure required a higher threshold of support than these states, but its failure — and the success of Republicans up and down the state’s ballot — undermined the expectation that abortion would serve as a wedge issue to weaken Republicans.
Southeastern states had some of the strictest abortion laws allowed under Roe v. Wade prior to 2022, while Florida took a more lax approach, making the state a haven for late-term abortions. But in 2022, Florida passed a 15-week limit, followed by the current 6-week limit, with exceptions in place for rape, incest, domestic violence and other contingencies. With one of the strictest abortion laws in the US now on the books, enthusiasm for expanded abortion legality in the state is lower than might be expected, especially considering its long history as a purple state.
Florida voters also rejected a measure legalising recreational marijuana, bucking the trend of red states passing such measures in recent elections, and Donald Trump increased his margin of victory in the state compared to the previous two elections. Republican Sen. Rick Scott also increased his margin of victory, and the heavily Hispanic Miami-Dade county swung for Trump.
The results show an intensification of a Rightward drift that began in 2020. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis won his first gubernatorial election by only 0.4 percentage points in 2018, compared to his blowout 19.4-point win in 2022, months after Roe v. Wade was overturned. And this election year, pollsters are no longer treating Florida as a swing state.
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SubscribeHmm. The abortion measure failed, but still got 57% of the vote. That says something, doesn’t it? Abortion rights are popular in the first trimester. Even Donald Trump, who voted against the measure, would have voted for it if the limit had been more like 12 weeks of pregnancy instead of 24.
I must admit it does seem gerrymandered somewhat. You have to presume the potential limit on abortion in the question set so late in order to worry the more moderate voters. It would likely have cleared the 60% hurdle if the limit was set to the first trimester which seems to be the middle ground most Americans are happy with
The proponents of the abortion measure took a gamble. They chose language that would allow abortions through the second trimester instead of just the first, and they chose to amend the constitution (thus requiring 60%) rather than just pass a law (requiring just 50%). Had they won their gamble, it would have been difficult for opponents to change the law in the future. And they almost won. But they lost, narrowly.
Now Florida sits with a 6-week ban that even Donald Trump has criticized as unfair. It’s not going to last. One way or another, it’s going to change soon. In my opinion, that’s why Florida governor Ron DeSantis is not a good national candidate. He’s a lawyer, an ideologue. He has no practical sense, an ability to give and take to get things done. He needs to take lessons from Donald Trump, but he’s too stubborn to. He’ll be a has-been.
The result shows that a majority of Florida voters are in favour of abortion, even though that was not enough to reach the required threshold. That is probably not surprising. A number of other generally very Red states have voted for it over the last few years too.
Since Roe vs Wade lasted so long, several generations have been raised with a desensitised attitude to abortion, having little interest in considering it beyond it being ‘a woman’s right,’ that only older, unprogessive moralists would restrict or take away. Perhaps, if younger people can be taught not only the basic unpleasant facts of abortion, but how it became virtually industrialised and profit driven because of open attitudes, there might be a public change of heart, and different results of legality.
Losing by 57-43 is now considered a victory for conservatives? This is your drift to the right? LOL!
If it wasn’t for voter suppression and the ludicrous electoral college perverting the will of the American people in Trump’s favour this presidential election wouldn’t even be close.
The fact that you’re still here makes me question the integrity of Unherd, I’m pretty sure you’ve been flagged numerous times. But I guess every village needs its idiot.
In the US idiom, “CS” stands for the poultry version of “BS”. Champagne Socialist, or “CS” as he is known to his many fans, shows the usefulness of the idiom quite well.
This wasn’t funny the first time you said it. Certainly isn’t the second time.
Be better.
Don’t be such a snowflake!
Rot in your own bitterness my friend.
You’re the past, get used to it.
Yet here you are, following me around like a lost puppy!
He is nice person.
Trying to assist mentally ill Socialist.
Why is it surprising that the proposal legalising recreational marijuana is polling at 60%? Surely smoking weed is something both the Right and the Left of politics can enjoy?
Legalising drug use? Another corrupting idea the wreckage of which once again is paid for by the silent majority.
Anyone who opposes abortion and the indoctrination of young minds with homosex and trans perversity is standing up for the common good. Carry on.