Abortion was on the ballot in five states—Michigan, Vermont, California, Kentucky, and Montana—and in all five states, voters rejected the pro-life position.

There’s no doubt about it—these election results are a serious gut punch to the pro-life movement.

Following the reversal of Roe in June, pro-life advocates knew that the culture war over abortion policy was entering a new chapter as the debate shifted to state law.

The pro-life movement cheered for states that quickly moved to protect preborn human life and watched with anticipation as legal battles ensued.

This November, three states considered abortion-friendly ballot initiatives. In Michigan, Vermont and California, voters were asked whether they wanted to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution. And in all three cases, voters tragically said “yes.”

According to the New York Times, here are the results of those measures at the time of this article’s publication.

In Michigan, with 91% of the votes counted, the amendment which would create a state constitutional “right” to so-called reproductive freedom was ahead with 56.7% of the vote in support and 43.3% in opposition. This measure, like the others, goes far beyond Roe. It would legalize abortions for minors and even permit children to receive gender reassignment surgery without parental notification or consent. It’s radical policy that hurts women, children, and the family unit.

Vermont’s Prop 5 would create a constitutional “right” to personal reproductive autonomy. With 95% of the votes reported, this measure was supported by 77.2% of the voters and opposed by 22.8%.

In California, Prop 1 would amend the state constitution to enshrine a person’s “right” to reproductive freedom. With 42% of the votes counted, those supporting this constitutional amendment are ahead with 65% of the vote, and those in opposition have 35% of the vote.

Voters in two states were given the opportunity to protect life on their ballots in Kentucky and Montana, but it appears both of those efforts failed.

In Kentucky, the amendment would have clearly stated that there was no right to an abortion in the state constitution. At 91% of votes counted, a majority of the voters (52.4%) declared they did not support this amendment. In contrast, 47.6% of the voters supported the amendment.

Finally, in Montana, voters were asked whether infants born alive during an abortion should receive medical care. Shockingly, a majority of Montana voters (52.4%) callously said no. The measure only garnered the support of 47.6% of the voters.

These election results are a serious reality check for the pro-life movement. Roe’s reversal was certainly cause for celebration. But that party is over.

The abortion lobby is serious about winning on the issue of abortion; they have to be—their business model depends on it.

This past summer, Planned Parenthood announced its commitment to spend $50 million in the mid-term elections to help “abortion champions” win seats up and down the ballot.

When we look at the numbers, it’s no surprise the abortion industry pulled off the wins they did. They outspent the pro-life movement in every way and, in return, controlled the narrative.

As reported by the Daily Citizen, the abortion lobby collectively raised at least $68 million to secure their wins on these ballot initiatives. By contrast, pro-life groups raised a little more than $18.3 million. Pro-life groups were outspent by nearly $50 million.

Thankfully, this isn’t the end of the story.

The pro-life movement can learn from the past—and it must! It’s clear from the election results that we still have a lot of work to do.

 

Photo from Shutterstock.