Pro-Life Advocates are Winning Abortion Ballot Measures on the City Level

When it comes to “pro-life” and “pro-abortion” ballot initiatives across the United States, which side is really winning? For the purpose of this piece, we will only be looking at ballot initiatives since the Supreme Court of the United States’ decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization.

Since the Supreme Court’s historic decision on June 24, 2022, a total of 18 abortion-related initiatives have been on the ballot across nine different states. Out of 18 abortion-related ballot initiatives, the “pro-life” side has 10 victories while the “pro-abortion” side has eight victories. Team Pro-Life has more ballot initiative wins.

Here is how the numbers breakdown: Out of the five “pro-abortion” ballot initiatives, four of the initiatives were successful and only one was defeated. Out of 13 “pro-life” ballot initiatives, nine of the initiatives were successful and only four were defeated.

Of course, that is including both statewide and citywide ballot initiatives. If you count just statewide ballot initiatives, the numbers look much different. Out of the four statewide “pro-abortion” ballot initiatives, all four of the initiatives were successful. Out of the three statewide “pro-life” ballot initiatives, all three of the initiatives failed. If you just look at the statewide initiatives, Team Pro-Abortion is undefeated.

Then again, if you count just citywide ballot initiatives, those numbers also look different. The only citywide “pro-abortion” ballot initiative failed. Out of 10 citywide “pro-life” ballot initiatives, a total of nine initiatives were successful with only one initiative failing. If you just look at the citywide initiatives, Team Pro-Life is winning.

Examining the Results of the Elections

On August 2, 2022, a “pro-life” initiative in Kansas sought to establish that nothing in the state constitution created a “right to abortion.” The ballot initiative, initiated by the legislature, was defeated with 59% against the measure and 41% for the measure.

On November 8, 2022, three “pro-abortion” initiatives were on the ballot in three different states (Vermont, Michigan, and California) and 12 “pro-life” initiatives were on the ballot in four different states (Kentucky, Montana, Texas, and Nebraska).

In Vermont, a “pro-abortion” amendment sought to add language to protect the “right to personal reproductive autonomy” and sought to prohibit “government infringement unless justified by a compelling state interest.” The ballot initiative, initiated by the legislature, was successful with 77% for the measure and 23% against the measure. Vermont (pop. 647,156) is the 49th largest state among the United States.

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In Michigan, a “pro-abortion” amendment sought to add a state constitutional right to reproductive freedom. The ballot initiative, initiated by citizens, was successful with 57% for the measure and 43% against the measure. Michigan (pop. 10,030,722) is the 10th largest state among the United States.

In Kentucky, a “pro-life” initiative sought to establish that nothing in the state constitution created a “right to abortion.” The ballot initiative, initiated by the legislature, was defeated with 52% against the measure and 48% for the measure. Kentucky (pop. 4,518,031) is the 26th largest state among the United States.

In Montana, a “pro-life” initiative sought to treat “infants born alive at any stage of development” as legal persons. The ballot initiative, initiated by the legislature, was defeated with 53% against the measure and 47% for the measure. Montana (pop. 1,139,507) is the 43rd largest state among the United States.

In California, a “pro-abortion” amendment sought to prohibit the state from “interfering with or denying an individual’s reproductive freedom.” The ballot initiative, initiated by the legislature, was successful with 67% for the measure and 33% against the measure. California (pop. 38,915,693) is the largest state among the United States.

In Texas, “pro-life” initiatives were on the ballot in four cities across the state: Abilene, Athens, Plainview, and San Angelo. The initiatives sought to outlaw elective abortions performed on residents of these cities – regardless of the location the elective abortions were performed. All four of these ballot initiatives were successful. In Abilene the initiative passed with 53% for and 47% against, in Athens 58% for to 42% against, in Plainview 69% for and 31% against, and in San Angelo 56% for and 44% against. Texas (pop. 30,500,280) is the 2nd largest state among the United States.

On a side note: Abilene (pop. 127,385) is larger than the largest city in eight states, while San Angelo (pop. 101,612) is larger than the largest city in four states. North Dakota’s largest city of Fargo has 125,990, Montana’s largest city of Billings has 117,116, New Hampshire’s largest city of Manchester has 115,644, Delaware’s largest city of Wilmington has 70,898, Maine’s largest city of Portland has 68,408, Wyoming’s largest city of Cheyenne has 65,051, West Virginia’s largest city of Charleston has 48,864, and Vermont’s largest city of Burlington has 44,743.

In Nebraska, “pro-life” initiatives were on the ballot in six cities across the state: Arnold, Brady, Curtis, Hershey, Paxton, and Wallace. The initiatives sought to outlaw abortion from the moment of conception within the city limits. Out of these six ballot initiatives, five were successful. In Arnold the initiative passed with 60% for and 40% against, in Brady 57% for and 43% against, in Hershey 57% for and 43% against, in Paxton 52% for and 48% against, and in Wallace 64% for and 36% against.  The one city where the “pro-life” initiative was defeated was in the City of Curtis with 29% for and 71% against. Nebraska (pop. 1,972,292) is the 38th largest state among the United States.

On May 6, 2023, a “pro-abortion” initiative was on the ballot in San Antonio, Texas. The citizen ballot initiative would have, among other things, prohibited “police from enforcing criminal abortion laws.” The ballot initiative was defeated with 71.63% against the measure and only 28.37% in favor of the measure. While this “pro-life” victory was quite significant, it did not get as much press as it should have. While San Antonio may be seen as just one city in Texas, the city with a population of 1,567,118, is the SECOND largest city in Texas and the SEVENTH largest city in the United States. The City of San Antonio is larger than 11 states including: Hawaii (pop. 1,433,238), New Hampshire (1,402,957), Maine (pop. 1,393,442), Montana (pop. 1,139,507), Rhode Island (1,090,483), Delaware (pop. 1,031,985), South Dakota (pop. 923,484), North Dakota (pop. 780,588), Alaska (pop. 732,984), Vermont (pop. 647,156), and Wyoming (pop. 583,279). The City of San Antonio is also larger than Washington, D.C. (pop. 674,815).

On November 7, 2023, a “pro-abortion” amendment sought to create a “right to abortion” in the Ohio Constitution. The ballot initiative, initiated by citizens, was successful with 57% for the measure and 43% against the measure. Ohio (pop. 11,747,774) is the 7th largest state among the United States.

In Closing

When it comes to ballot initiatives, the “pro-abortion” side is being loud and proud, as they make statements like, “Pro-Lifers have lost every ballot initiative since Dobbs.” Likewise, the mainstream media is echoing their loud and proud statements. But that just isn’t true. Pro-Lifers have not lost every ballot initiative since Dobbs. Again, out of 18 abortion-related ballot initiatives, the “pro-life” side has 10 victories while the “pro-abortion” side has eight victories.

Ballot initiatives are not always a loss for Team-Pro-Life.

LifeNews Note: Mark Lee Dickson lives in Texas and serves as a Director with Right to Life of East Texas and the founder of the Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn Initiative.

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