Where the Midterms Could Affect Abortion Most

With Republican control of the State Legislature and the governor’s office, Arizona has enacted a ban on abortion at 15 weeks of pregnancy, set to take effect this fall. The attorney general wants an older ban on nearly all abortions to go into effect. The State Supreme Court has not yet ruled on whether the state’s Constitution protects the right to abortion.

Abortion rights advocates see opportunities to flip control of the State Senate or State House, in which Republicans have just a two-seat margin in each chamber. And they are backing Democrats for governor and attorney general. Voters could reject up to three judges who are up for re-election on the court but could not change its Republican control.

Abortion opponents are aiming to maintain the State Legislature’s Republican majority and to fill open seats for governor and attorney general with anti-abortion candidates.

Georgia Republicans have enacted a ban on abortion at six weeks of pregnancy. Competitive races for governor and attorney general could challenge lawmakers’ plans to further restrict abortion.

Abortion rights advocates are endorsing Stacey Abrams and Jen Jordan, both Democrats who staunchly oppose the state’s ban, for governor and attorney general. They are also hoping to flip several legislative seats currently held by Republicans, though the midterms are unlikely to change partisan control of either chamber.

Abortion opponents are rallying voters to maintain the status quo. The State Supreme Court, which has a majority of judges appointed by a Republican governor, held elections in May.

The State Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that abortion was protected in the State Constitution. That has made it hard for Republicans in the Legislature to enact restrictions, even though they have a large enough majority to override a veto from Gov. Laura Kelly, a Democrat. If voters approve an Aug. 2 ballot measure denying a right to abortion, it would pave the way for bans.

Abortion rights advocates are aiming to defeat the ballot measure and protect two judges who supported the 2019 ruling. Flipping three seats in the State House and State Senate could remove the Republican supermajority.

Passing the ballot measure, which would deny the right to abortion and could be undone only by passing another ballot measure, is a top priority for abortion opponents. Voters can choose to reject six of seven judges on the Democratic-led State Supreme Court who are up for re-election.

Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, a Democrat, has blocked the Republican-controlled Legislature’s efforts to restrict abortion. Her re-election effort and several races in the State House and State Senate are some of the most competitive in the country. A pending ballot measure would enshrine abortion rights with a constitutional amendment.

Passing the ballot measure is critical for abortion rights advocates, who also see opportunities to overturn Republican control of the Legislature by flipping three seats in the House or four in the Senate.

Abortion opponents are seeking to defeat the ballot measure and flip the Democratic-majority court, as well as the offices of governor and attorney general.

Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, has been a firewall against Republican efforts in the General Assembly to restrict abortion. The governor is not up for election this cycle, but Republicans would need to pick up just a few legislative seats to win a veto-proof majority. The State Supreme Court could lose its Democratic majority with the flip of a single seat.

Abortion rights advocates are rallying voters to maintain the Democratic majority on the court and to keep Democratic seats in the General Assembly to prevent a veto-proof majority for Republicans.

Opponents of abortion see an opportunity to flip the court’s Democratic majority and to give Republican legislators the power to override a governor’s veto by winning three seats in the House and two seats in the Senate.

The state’s Democratic governor, Tom Wolf, has vetoed abortion restrictions proposed by the General Assembly, but he is not running again. The governor’s race is competitive, and a win for the Republican candidate, Doug Mastriano, would most likely lead to bans from a Legislature that is likely to keep its Republican majority.

Supporters of abortion rights are backing Josh Shapiro, a Democratic candidate for governor who would be a firewall against restrictions. Advocates also see a chance to flip a chamber in the General Assembly for Democrats, though voters would need to overturn five Republican seats in the Senate and 12 in the House.

Abortion opponents are rallying voters to strengthen the Republican majority in the General Assembly and elect the Republican candidate for governor.

Gov. Tony Evers and Attorney General Josh Kaul, both Democrats, have sued to block a ban on nearly all abortions. They stand in opposition to the Republican-controlled State Legislature, which is a few seats away from a veto-proof majority.

Priorities for abortion rights advocates include preventing Republicans from securing a veto-proof majority in the State Legislature and re-electing the governor and the attorney general.

For the governor and attorney general races, anti-abortion activists are rallying voters to elect Republicans who oppose abortion. Winning at least five more State Assembly seats and one more State Senate seat for Republicans would give the chambers the power to override a veto.