By Dan Hart

In the ongoing aftermath of the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the 2024 election saw an unprecedented 11 ballot initiatives in 10 states that mostly attempted to codify a “right” to obtain an abortion into state constitutions. Perhaps the most highly contested initiative took place in Florida, where the pro-abortion Amendment 4 failed to pass.

The initiative fell short of the 60% threshold needed for passage on Tuesday night, garnering around 57% of the vote, while votes against the measure amounted to roughly 43%. The amendment’s failure leaves in place Florida’s six-week pro-life protections.

Amendment 4 would have enshrined abortion through birth into Florida’s constitution, removed protections for unborn children after viability, eliminated parental consent laws, and allowed abortions to be referred and carried out by non-doctors, among other provisions.

The ballot initiative failed despite immense funding from pro-abortion activists, who poured over $85 million toward advertisements and campaigns in favor of the measure.

Bucking the trend of other prominent Republicans who have largely avoided discussing the abortion issue in the leadup to the 2024 election, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis (R) took a leading role over the last two months in the movement against the amendment, as he held press conferences with pro-life doctors and held rallies with celebrities like former NFL coach Tony Dungy.

“Let’s just be clear,” DeSantis remarked recently regarding the measure, “You have no definitions in this amendment. You have no doctors required to be involved under this amendment, and you have really, really extreme policies, such as the lack of meaningful limits. That is not something that belongs in any state’s constitution, much less the state of Florida.”

“I think an important point is in Florida, we did see politicians step up,” remarked Mary Szoch, Family Research Council’s director of the Center for Human Dignity, shortly following the amendment’s failure. “We saw the president say he was voting no on the attempt to enshrine abortion until birth. We saw Governor DeSantis lead the charge, saying, ‘No, this is ridiculous. This is too extreme for Florida. Life is sacred.’ We did see a victory. So we need to see more of that.”

John Stemberger, senior counsel of Liberty Counsel and president of Liberty Counsel Action, concurred. “[I]t’s because of … Governor Ron DeSantis. He’s just been an absolute horse leading the battle. He’s fearless. You know, when you get the issue, when you communicate right on it and you’re unapologetic, you win, right? It’s when you hide and run — that’s when you lose. And we’re not losing because Ron DeSantis has led with great strength and he was very articulate. He was fearless.”

Stemberger went on to credit pro-life canvassers on the ground. “[W]e also had a great ground game. … The other side had no signs, really, no door knockers, and so we really killed that aspect of the campaign. … We got outspent seven to one and we’re still here victorious tonight.”

Leaders in the pro-life movement extolled the demise of Florida’s Amendment 4. “The demise of pro-abortion Amendment 4 is a momentous victory for life in Florida and for our entire country,” SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser observed. “…The law that safeguards more than 50,000 lives annually will remain.”

“Amendment 4 has FAILED in Florida! Incredible victory for LIFE!!!” added Live Action President Lila Rose on X.

As of 7 a.m. EST Wednesday, one pro-life initiative passed, three pro-abortion initiatives failed, and seven pro-abortion initiatives prevailed. Here is how voters responded to the ballot measures across the country.

Arizona

Arizona’s pro-abortion Proposition 139 was projected to win, with over 61% voting in favor of the measure with 60% of votes counted. The measure creates a fundamental right to abortion under Arizona’s constitution.

Colorado

Colorado’s pro-abortion Amendment 79 passed with over 61% voting in favor of the measure. The amendment places the right to abortion in Colorado’s constitution and repeals the current ban on state and local funding for abortion services.

Maryland

Maryland’s pro-abortion Question 1 passed overwhelmingly in the deep blue state, garnering roughly 75% of the vote in favor of the measure. The measure enshrines abortion through birth for any reason into Maryland’s constitution.

Missouri

Missouri’s pro-abortion Amendment 3 passed, garnering almost 52% of the vote in favor of the measure. The amendment enshrines abortion until birth into Missouri’s constitution.

Montana

Montana’s pro-abortion Constitutional Amendment 128 passed, with approximately 57% voting in favor of the measure. The amendment enshrines abortion through birth for any reason into Montana’s constitution.

Nebraska

Nebraska’s pro-life Initiative 434 passed, with over 55% voting in favor of the measure. The measure amends Nebraska’s constitution to protect the unborn from abortion in the second and third trimesters.

Nebraska’s pro-abortion Initiative 439 failed, with over 51% voting against the measure. The measure would have amended Nebraska’s constitution to allow abortions through birth.

Nevada

Nevada’s pro-abortion Question 6 is projected to pass, garnering over 63% of the vote with an estimated 83% of votes tallied. The measure enshrines abortion until birth into Nevada’s constitution.

New York

New York’s pro-abortion Proposal 1 passed easily in the deep blue state, garnering over 61% of the vote in favor of the measure. Proposal 1 enshrines abortion through birth for any reason into New York’s constitution.

South Dakota

South Dakota’s pro-abortion Constitutional Amendment G overwhelmingly failed, with almost 60% voting against the measure. The amendment would have enshrined abortion until birth into South Dakota’s constitution.

Dan Hart is senior editor at The Washington Stand.