Michigan, Kentucky & Vermont Voters Pass Constitutional Amendments To Protect Abortion Rights & Women Cheer

Women all across the nation celebrated citizens voting to codify the right to an abortion in three states, after the Supreme Court overturned Roe V. Wade in June.

By:
Reading Time: 3 minutes
November 9, 2022 3:53PM EST
abortion
View gallery
Pro choice demonstrators protest in reaction to leaked draft document that the Supreme Court is prepared to overturn Roe v. Wade, in Miami, Florida, USA, 03 May 2022. According to the leaked report, obtained by Politico, the high court has cast an initial vote to strike down the landmark abortion-rights decision Roe v. Wade. Pro choice demonstrators protest in reaction to leaked draft document that Supreme Court is prepared to overturn Roe v. Wade, Miami, USA - 03 May 2022
Actress Busy Philipps cheers while awaiting arrest during a protest and mass civil disobedience action for reproductive rights hosted by the Center for Popular Democracy at the Supreme Court. The event comes less than a week after the Court issued its opinion in Dobbs v. JWHO, overturning Roe v. Wade and reversing the federal right to abortion access. Mass civil disobedience for reproductive rights, Washington, United States - 30 Jun 2022
Actress Busy Philipps is arrested at a protest and mass civil disobedience action for reproductive rights hosted by the Center for Popular Democracy at the Supreme Court. The event comes less than a week after the Court issued its opinion in Dobbs v. JWHO, overturning Roe v. Wade and reversing the federal right to abortion access. Mass civil disobedience for reproductive rights, Washington, United States - 30 Jun 2022
Image Credit: Damian Dovarganes/AP/Shutterstock

Three states voted to pass amendments that would protect abortion rights in their states during the midterm elections on Tuesday, November 8. Voters in Michigan, Kentucky, and Vermont came out to protect abortion rights. In Michigan and Vermont, voters decided to codify the right to abortions into their respective state constitutions. In Kentucky, citizens voted against a state amendment, which would ban abortion at the state level, per The New York Times. California and Montana also voted to protect abortion rights. Tons of women praised the decision on social media, which came five months after Roe v. Wade was overturned by the Supreme Court.

Women in California showing support for abortion rights. (Damian Dovarganes/AP/Shutterstock)

The decision in the three states came about three months after Kansas voted on a similar amendment, where the right to choose was decided with a 59 to 41 percent victory. President Joe Biden celebrated the decision in a tweet. “It’s an important victory for Kansas, but also for every American who believes that women should be able to make their own health decisions without government interference,” he said.

Tons of people spoke out and explained how multiple elections, and pro-choice candidates being decided, showed how many people care about protecting the right to abortions. The American Civil Liberties Union spoke about what monument victory the three were in a tweet. “Unpacking the full results of yesterday’s elections will take time but one thing is clear: The vast majority of people in this country want to protect abortion access. In Michigan, Kentucky, Vermont, California, and more, voters proved — abortion is a right we will fight for,” the organization wrote.

Another woman said that all five states voting to protect the right to choose was a sign that people all over felt that this was an important issue to protect. “People overwhelmingly support abortion access. This is a simple fact, and the fact that our laws, courts and representatives are making different decisions is one reflection of how deeply undemocratic our system of government is,” she wrote. See reactions from some of the other states here.

Kentucky

Many women who celebrated the decision seemed surprised that Kentucky, which mostly voted for Republican candidates, elected to protect abortion. Incumbent Republican Senator Rand Paul won in the Senate race and 5 more Republicans were elected for the House Representatives, with only one Democrat winning a House seat. Actress Alyssa Milano called it a “HUGE” victory in a tweet. What a Day podcast host Akilah Hughes also praised people who donated to help inform voters. “Everyone who donated to this helped us get the word out on Amendment 2 in Kentucky! We won! ” she wrote.

Planned Parenthood also spoke about what a major victory Kentucky was in this fight. “Kentucky voters have rejected an anti-abortion amendment in a massive victory for abortion rights. The message is clear: The majority of voters don’t want politicians deciding personal medical decisions for them,” the organization tweeted.

Vermont

Vermont was the first state to vote to enshrine the law into their constitution. One reporter called it a “historic victory.” Planned Parenthood also said that Vermont’s decision was a “major” win in protecting access to abortion in the state.

Michigan

Women similarly applauded Michigan for the vote to protect abortion. One woman wrote that “You love to see it” in response to the election. The state’s Governor Gretchen Whitmer, who also won her re-election campaign, celebrated the call with a tweet, explaining how momentous the decision is. “Abortion was, is, and will remain legal in Michigan,” she wrote.

Just as with Kentucky and Vermont, Planned Parenthood also celebrated the victory, months after Roe v. Wade were overturned. “Michiganders have voted to protect abortion rights! Just months after the Supreme Court took away our constitutional right to abortion, voters approved a ballot measure that will PROTECT the right to abortion in the state’s constitution,” they tweeted.