Counts come in for other major issue on the ballot in 10 US states

Americans have voted, and also voted down, the right to abortion in some of the 10 states that have the matter on the ballot papers.

Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s tight race to the presidency is not the only vote taking place across the country as Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York and South Dakota ask voters to decide on abortion access.

The 10 states will move to either expand or maintain their current rules around abortion, except for Nebraska, which is asking whether to preserve the current 12-week ban or enshrine abortion rights into the state’s constitution.

Maryland residents have voted to enshrine protections for abortion rights into their state constitution, the Associated Press has called.

In Florida, voters failed to meet the 60 per cent requirement to pass abortion rights.

New York has barred discrimination over gender identity and pregnancy outcomes, which voters said also protects abortion access.

Colorado has voted in a ballot measure to guarantee abortion rights and allow public funding. 

The counts are still coming in for the remaining six states. 

States absorbed the power to implement rules on abortion following the 2022 US Supreme Court decision to overrule the constitutional right to an abortion under Roe v Wade.

Reproductive freedom has consequently been a centrepiece issue in Harris’ campaign, appealing to women by promising to approve legislation protecting the right nationally.

She was joined by Beyoncé at a rally in Texas on Friday — a battleground for abortion rights as women fight against some of the strictest rules in the country.

“I pledge to you, when Congress passes a bill to restore reproductive freedom nationwide, as president of the United States, I will proudly sign it into law,” Harris told the crowd.

At a rally in Wisconsin last week, Trump attempted to win over women by promising to be their protector.

“I want to protect the women of our country. Well, I’m going to do it, whether the women like it or not. I’m going to protect them,” he told the crowd. 

Here is a guide on what voters are deciding on in Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York and South Dakota.

Abortion is legal up to 15 weeks.

At any point of the pregnancy, abortion is legal if a doctor determines there is a medical emergency where the woman could die or if there is a risk of substantial and irreversible impairment to a major bodily function if she continues in her pregnancy.

Voters are being asked whether to expand access to abortion up to fetal viability, about 22 to 24 weeks, and enshrine it into the state’s constitution.

Abortion is legal without any restrictions.

Voters were asked whether to maintain the current level of access and enshrine it into the state’s constitution.

The matter was successfully voted in.

Abortion is illegal after six weeks.

Exceptions may apply to the time frame if the pregnancy is a result of rape, incest or human trafficking. 

Voters were asked whether to expand access to abortion up to fetal viability, about 22 to 24 weeks, or if the woman’s life health or life is at risk, as determined by a doctor.

But the bid to underdo the state’s strict abortion ban has failed. 

Abortion is legal without any restrictions.

Voters were asked whether to maintain the current level of access and enshrine it into the state’s constitution.

The matter has passed on the ballot papers and will be protected within the constitution.

Abortion is illegal except for medical emergencies.

There are no exceptions to the law in the instance of rape, incest or human trafficking.

Voters are being asked whether to expand access to abortion up to fetal viability, about 22 to 24 weeks, and enshrine it into the state’s constitution.

It would undo the state’s strict abortion ban. 

Abortion is legal up to fetal viability, about 22 to 24 weeks.

It is also legal after that timeframe in the instance the woman’s health or life is at serious risk, as determined by a doctor.

Voters are being asked whether to maintain the current level of access and enshrine it into the state’s constitution.

Abortion is illegal after 12 weeks. 

Voters are being asked whether to legalise abortion up to fetal viability, about 22 to 24 weeks, or enshrine the current ban.

Abortion is legal up to fetal viability, about 22 to 24 weeks.

Voters are being asked whether to maintain the current level of access and enshrine it into the state’s constitution.

Abortion is legal up to fetal viability, about 22 to 24 weeks.

It is also legal after that timeframe in the instance the woman’s health, life or pregnancy is at risk, as determined by a doctor.

Voters were asked whether to maintain the current level of access and enshrine it into the state’s constitution.

The matter has passed on the ballot papers and will be protected within the constitution.

South Dakota

Abortion is illegal except if the woman’s life is at risk.

There are no exceptions in the instance of rape, incest or human trafficking.

Voters are being asked whether to expand access to allow abortion in the first and second trimesters, with regulations.

— Reported with Associated Press, CNN