An exam table in a room where surgeries, including abortions, are performed.
Jon Cherry/Getty Images

By Sarah Owermohle

Nov. 5, 2024

Washington Correspondent

WASHINGTON — A massive drive to rally voters around reproductive rights took its first major hit on Tuesday night. 

Florida rejected a ballot initiative that would have protected access to the procedure up to a fetus’ viability, reversing the state’s six-week abortion ban. A fetus is viable at around 24 weeks of pregnancy.

advertisement

While it’s the first state initiative on abortion rights to fail since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, there’s a unique barrier in Florida: The state requires 60% of voters to approve amendments to the state constitution, versus the simple majority requirement in many other states.

STAT+ Exclusive Story

STAT+

This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers

Unlock this article — plus daily intelligence on Capitol Hill and the life sciences industry — by subscribing to STAT+.

Already have an account? Log in

Monthly

$39

Totals $468 per year

$39/month Get Started

Totals $468 per year

Starter

$20

for 3 months, then $399/year

$20 for 3 months Get Started

Then $399/year

Annual

$399

Save 15%

$399/year Get Started

Save 15%

11+ Users

Custom

Savings start at 25%!

Request A Quote Request A Quote

Savings start at 25%!

2-10 Users

$300

Annually per user

$300/year Get Started

$300 Annually per user

View All Plans

To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+.

Subscribe
, , , ,
Submit a correction requestReprints

  1. Sarah Owermohle

    Washington Correspondent

    Sarah Owermohle reports on the administration’s health care initiatives, federal health policy, and its intersection with politics and the courts. She joined STAT in 2022 after covering health policy at Politico. She is also the co-author of the free, twice-weekly D.C. Diagnosis newsletter.