Voters in seven states approved ballot measures to expand abortion access, while some of them simultaneously backed President-elect Trump and Republicans who could help instate a federal ban come next year. The president-elect, who has repeatedly taken credit for overturning federal abortion protections, has flip-flopped on the issue but insisted he would not sign a national ban into law. But with a likely trifecta at the federal level, Congress could have the means to curb access — whether it be by passing a total national ban, pushing through a ban at various weeks of pregnancy or instating legislation to limit access to medication abortion. Voters, showing they recognize abortion as a top priority, approved measures to expand or enshrine abortion access in Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nevada and New York.

Trump also won in deep-red Missouri and Montana and the swing states of Arizona and Nevada. "Clearly, voters continue to be comfortable splitting tickets, both in terms of candidates but also when it comes to abortion rights ballot measures," Kelly Baden, vice president of public policy at the Guttmacher Institute, said. This seeming contradiction between supporting abortion expansions and pro-life Republicans is not a new phenomenon. Baden pointed to Mississippi's 2011 "personhood" initiative, which was soundly defeated at the same time Republicans against abortion rights won in nearly all statewide races.

CDFingers wrote: Tue Nov 12, 2024 9:21 am The pundits are going to peel this onion for months if not years. I see it as the result of the Cohen strategy (said often enough becomes truth; never admit you're wrong; lie boldly) coupled with a fear of a woman president.

He loves the uneducated because they can be persuaded by the fear and urgency promoted by the red team. Of course he has to eviscerate the Department of Education. Of course he has to eviscerate health care and Social Security to force people to continue to work for the autocrats who supported the spirochete in exchange for deficit busting tax cuts "paid for" with inflation causing tariffs. What could go wrong?

CDF