National Politics

Mike Catalini Assistant Press

The Supreme Court's June ruling overturned Roe v. Wade and leaving the issue of abortion rights to the states has put the question on the ballot in several states this fall.

Three states ask voters for some variance if they want to approve abortion rights, while only one state asks whether the constitution should be amended to say there is no right to abortion, abortion or government funding.

Kansas voters in August rejected a ballot measure that would have allowed lawmakers to tighten abortion laws or ban the practice, the first such attempt since the Supreme Court ruling.

Here's what voters will decide when the polls close on November 8:

Any questions and where are they on the ballot?

California, Michigan and Vermont are considering proposals to amend their state constitutions to establish certain types of abortion rights.

Kentucky is asking voters whether to change the state constitution to say it doesn't protect abortion rights.

Montana is asking voters whether they want medical care and treatment for babies born alive after attempted abortions.

Why these questions and why now?

The campaign's move comes after the Supreme Court ruled in June that the US Constitution does not grant abortion rights and that "the power to regulate abortion must return to the people and their elected representatives."

Vermont Gov. Phil Scott said in a statement this summer that the court's decision was made with renewed urgency.

"It's more important than ever to ensure that women in our region have the right to make their own decisions about their health, their bodies and their futures," she said.

Over the years, Kentucky has moved to tighten abortion restrictions since the GOP took control of the legislature in 2016, and Montana's Republican-controlled legislature endorsed the law this summer, overturning Roe and Wade and raising voter demands.

The Kentucky Supreme Court is hearing arguments on the state's blanket abortion ban after the November election, but has upheld the continued ban in this case.

Currently, pregnancy abortions are legal in Vermont, with no restrictions on when during pregnancy it can be performed. California and Michigan allow abortions, which are usually performed around 24 weeks. Montana has been restricting abortions since they are available, but a court has stayed a decision to stop the procedure after 20 weeks of litigation.

What is the current state of abortion in the United States?

State legislatures and courts have changed the state of abortion laws in the United States.

A dozen states have bans for all pregnancy states.

Clinics in Wisconsin have banned abortions, although there is debate over whether the ban will be enforced.