Did abortion ballot measures backfire on Democrats?
Did abortion ballot measures backfire on Democrats?
Voters in five states weighed in on abortion rights in the 2022 midterm elections, approving measures to protect access to abortion in Michigan and California, while rejecting similar efforts in Kentucky, Montana, and Kansas. The mixed results have left some Democrats wondering whether the strategy of putting abortion on the ballot was a mistake.
Abortion rights advocates had hoped that the measures would galvanize voters and help Democrats win key races. But the results suggest that the issue may not have been as motivating for voters as Democrats had hoped. In fact, in some cases, the measures may have actually energized Republican voters.