What's next after Ohio? Here are the states looking to enshrine abortion protections in 2024

WASHINGTON - Ohio’s passage of Issue 1 on Tuesday that enshrined abortion rights in the state’s constitution has fueled abortion advocates in other states to have similar measures on the ballot heading into next year’s election.

On Tuesday, Ohio voters chose “yes” on a measure that would allow for abortions until viability ? typically around 24 weeks' gestation ? and the right to access contraception, fertility treatment and other services.

Last year, voters in six states either passed measures to enshrine abortion rights in their state constitution or rejected efforts to restrict it.The latest move in Ohio sends a strong signal to red states ahead of the 2024 election that there's broad support for reproductive rights in the nation.

This wave of support for abortion rights is also exemplified in Virginia, where Democrats won the House and Senate, and in Kentucky where Democrat Andy Beshear won the gubernatorial race. Republican opponents pushed for abortion restrictions in both states.

Here's a look at where activists are looking to enshrine abortion rights next year.

Maryland and New York have reproductive measures on the ballot

So far, two states have added measures to the ballot in next year’s election to protect reproductive rights.

In Maryland, a constitutional amendment on the ballot next year establishes a right to reproductive freedom, which includes decisions to “decisions to prevent, continue, or end one's own pregnancy,” according to Ballotpedia.

Under state law, abortions are legal until viability. After that point, abortions are only allowed if it is to save the pregnant person's life, preserve their health, or if the fetus is expected to suffer health issues through the pregnancy.

Advocates argue the amendment would make it harder for opponents to remove abortion rights in the future, according to the Associated Press. Maryland Democratic Gov. Wes Moore made clear in a statement that the state will be a "safe haven for abortion access."

"This constitutional amendment will make sure it remains that way, no matter who is in office," Moore said.

In New York, an amendment would prohibit the denial of rights for an individual based on their “pregnancy, pregnancy outcomes, and reproductive healthcare and autonomy,” as well as age, disability, ethnicity and other matters. If passed, it could create a safe haven for abortion access in the state.

Abortions are currently legal up until viability in the state. After that point, abortions can only be performed to save a mother’s life or preserve their health.

Other states eyeing similar measures after Ohio outcome

Abortion and anti-abortion advocates in other states have been pushing to add their own ballot measures heading into 2024.

In Florida, the group Floridians Protecting Freedom are collecting signatures to put an amendment on the ballot that says “no law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider.”

Currently, abortion is banned in the state at 15 weeks into a pregnancy. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis signed into law a measure that would ban abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, with exceptions for rape and incest and to save a mother’s life. But the six-week ban would take effect only if the Florida Supreme Court rules against the state's current 15-week ban in an ongoing legal challenge.

Likewise, in Missouri, abortion advocates are eyeing a measure that would prevent the government from banning abortion in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy or a person’s right to reproductive freedom, the AP reported. On the other hand, anti-abortion advocates are pushing for a measure that would be less restrictive than the state’s current law, which outlaws abortion.

Similar fights are taking place in South Dakota, Nevada, Pennsylvania, Washington and other states.

Contributing: Associated Press, Kate Perez, Kathryn Varn

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Here are the states looking to enshrine abortion protections in 2024