WASHINGTON (AP) — Voters in Missouri cleared the way to overturn one of the nation’s most restrictive abortion bans in one of four victories Tuesday for abortion rights advocates, while Florida defeated a similar constitutional amendment, leaving in place a law banning most abortions after the first six weeks of pregnancy.

Abortion rights amendments have also passed in Colorado and Maryland. Another banning discrimination based on “pregnancy results” prevailed in New York.

The results were still pending five other states with abortion measures on the ballot.

The results in Missouri and Florida represent firsts in the abortion landscape, which underwent a seismic shift in 2022 when the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, a ruling that ended abortion rights nationwide and paved the way for bans to take effect in most cases. Republican controlled states.

Missouri is positioned to be the first state where a vote will overturn a ban that is already in place. Abortion is currently prohibited at all stages of pregnancy, with an exception only when a medical emergency puts the woman’s life at risk. Under the amendment, lawmakers could restrict abortions beyond the point of fetal viability — usually considered after 21 weeks, although there is no precisely defined time frame.

But prohibition and other restrictive laws are not automatically repealed. Advocates must now ask the courts to strike down the laws consistent with the new amendment.

“Today, Missourians made history and sent a clear message: Pregnancy decisions, including abortion, birth control and miscarriage care, are personal and private and should be left up to patients and their families, not politicians.” , Rachel Sweet, campaign manager at Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, said in a statement.

About half of Missouri voters said abortion should be legal in all or most cases, according to AP VoteCast, a poll of more than 2,200 state voters. But only about 1 in 10 said abortion should be illegal in all cases; nearly 4 in 10 said abortion should be illegal in most cases.

Florida is the first state since Roe was overturned where abortion opponents have prevailed on a ballot measure. A majority of voters supported the Florida measure, but it fell short of the 60 percent needed to pass constitutional amendments in the state. Most states require a simple majority.

The result was a political victory for Governor Ron DeSantisa Republican with a national profile, who led GOP state funds to the cause. His administration also weighed in with a campaign against the measure, the investigators questioning people who signed petitions to add him to the ballot and threats to TV stations who ran an ad endorsing it.

Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the national anti-abortion group SBA Pro-Life America, said in a statement that the result was “an important victory for life in Florida and for our entire country,” praising DeSantis for leading the charge against measure.

Defeat makes a permanent change in The southern landscape of abortion which began when the six-week ban went into effect in May. This eliminated Florida as an abortion destination for many women from nearby states with deeper bans, and also resulted in many more women in the state traveling to obtain abortions. The closest states with tighter restrictions are North Carolina and Virginia — hundreds of miles away.

“The reality is that because of the Florida constitution, a minority of Florida voters decided that Amendment 4 was not going to pass,” said Lauren Brenzel, campaign director for the Yes on 4 campaign, wiping away tears. “The reality is that a majority of Floridians just voted to end Florida’s abortion ban.”

In Maryland, the abortion rights amendment is a legal change that won’t make an immediate difference to abortion access in a state that already allows it.

The Colorado measure passed the 55 percent support needed to pass. In addition to enshrining access, it also repeals an earlier amendment that barred the use of state and local government funding for abortion, opening up the possibility for state Medicaid and government employee insurance plans to cover the care.

An equal rights law in New York was also passed, which the abortion rights group says will strengthen abortion rights. It does not contain the word “abortion” but rather prohibits discrimination based on “pregnancy outcomes, reproductive health care, and autonomy.” Sasha Ahuja, campaign director of New Yorkers for Equal Rights, called the result “a monumental victory for all New Yorkers” and a vote against opponents who she says used misleading parental rights and anti-trans messages to defeat the measure.

The Florida result ends a winning streak for abortion rights advocates

Until Tuesday, abortion rights advocates predominant on all seven measures that have appeared on statewide ballots since Roe fell.

Abortion rights campaigns have a big part fundraising advantage this year. Their opponents’ efforts are focused on portraying the amendments as too extreme, rather than abortion as immoral.

Currently, 13 states enforce bans at all stages of pregnancy, with some exceptions. Four more abortions, in most cases after about six weeks of pregnancy – before women often realize they are pregnant. Despite the bans, the number of monthly abortions in the US it has increased slightly, due to the increasing use of abortion pills and organized efforts to help women travel for abortions. However, advocates say the bans have limited accessespecially for lower-income and minority residents of states with bans.

The issue resonates with voters. About a quarter said abortion policy was the most important factor in their vote, according to AP VoteCast, a broad survey of more than 110,000 voters nationwide. Almost half said it was an important factor, but not the most important. Just over 1 in 10 said it was a minor factor.

The results of ballot initiatives that sought to overturn strict abortion bans in Florida and Missouri were very important to most voters in the states. More than half of Florida voters identified the amendment’s outcome as very important, while about 6 in 10 Missouri voters said the same, the poll found.

Some measures aim to enshrine the current legislation, others to cancel the bans

While the ballot questions have similar purposes, each addresses its own political circumstances.

Nebraska has competing ballot measures. One would allow abortion later in pregnancy. The other would enshrine in the constitution the current state law, which bans most abortions after 12 weeks — but would allow for additional restrictions.

In South Dakota, the measure would allow some regulations related to women’s health after 12 weeks. Because of this wrinkle, most national abortion rights groups do not support it.

Arizona, a presidential battleground, bans abortion after the first 15 weeks of pregnancy.

The ballot measure there gained momentum after a state Supreme Court ruling in April found that the state could enforce a strict abortion ban passed in 1864. Some GOP lawmakers have sided with Democrats to repeal the law before it can be implemented.

Measures to maintain access are also on the ballot in Montana, where a U.S. Senate race could help determine control of the chamber, and Nevada, a presidential battleground.

In Nevada, where control of state government is divided, the ballot measure would have to pass this year and again in 2026 to take effect.

— By GEOFF MULVIHILL and CHRISTINE FERNANDO Associated Press. Associated Press reporters Hannah Fingerhut and Amanda Seitz contributed to this article.