Impact of the Dobbs Decision on State Ballot Measures

The recent Dobbs decision has directly influenced a surge in abortion rights measures appearing on state ballots, allowing states to exercise more autonomy in regulating abortion following the overturning of Roe v. Wade. With the Constitutional protections removed, many states quickly moved to put abortion-related questions on ballots, reflecting a response to increased public interest and demand for either restricting or protecting abortion access. For instance, in states like Kansas, measures to restrict abortion rights failed, indicating strong public support for maintaining access to abortion. This pattern continued during the midterm elections, with four different states successfully voting to enshrine abortion protections in their constitutions.