Abortion Rights Take Center Stage in U.S. State Ballot Measures

Abortion rights will be a pivotal issue in the Nov. 5 U.S. elections, appearing on ballots in at least nine states, including key battlegrounds like Arizona and Nevada. The measures are seen as crucial for mobilizing Democratic and independent voters amid a tight presidential race between Kamala Harris and Donald Trump.

Abortion rights will be a critical issue on the Nov. 5 ballot in at least nine U.S. states, including pivotal battlegrounds likely to play significant roles in the upcoming presidential race and the battle for control of Congress.

Led by Vice President Kamala Harris, Democrats aim to galvanize left-leaning and independent voters through these initiatives. Harris is set to face Republican former President Donald Trump in the election. Swing states like Arizona and Nevada will decide on constitutional amendments that guarantee abortion rights, potentially influencing high-stakes Senate races, which could determine the control of the chamber.

The U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision to nix a nationwide right to abortion has heightened the stakes, with Republicans facing backlash that has benefited Democrats in recent elections. Voters will decide on measures in conservative states such as Missouri, South Dakota, and Nebraska, among others, emphasizing the growing significance of reproductive rights in American politics.

(With inputs from agencies.)