Ever since Roe v. Wade — the 1973 Supreme Court case that established a constitutional right to abortion — was overturned in 2022, reproductive rights have become one of the most prevalent political issues for candidates and voters to take a stance on. Now that legalizing or criminalizing abortion is up to each state’s discretion, midterm elections have been battlegrounds for repro rights, and the 2026 election cycle is no different.
Abortion is currently banned or heavily restricted in 13 states, with seven of those states having early gestational bans, meaning that pregnant people can only receive an abortion within six or 12 weeks of fetal development (which, in some cases, might be before someone even knows they’re pregnant). But with every election cycle inevitably comes change, and in 2026, there are quite a few changes that could be made.
For starters, many candidates on ballots across the country have taken public stances on reproductive rights issues. Depending on who wins, the country could see either more reversals on reproductive rights or more protections — in both the near and distant future.
But there’s more than just candidates being voted on this year. There is also some specific legislation on the ballot, or potentially on the ballot, that could have a direct impact on reproductive rights across the country. So, if you’re tracking movement on the state of reproductive rights in the U.S., keep an eye out for these state ballot measures.
Missouri — On The Ballot
The Prohibit Abortion and Gender Transition Procedures for Minors Amendment is on the ballot as a Missouri state constitutional amendment. If passed, the Missouri Constitution will be amended to repeal Amendement 3, which ratified the constitutional right to reproductive freedom, prohibit abortions except in cases of “emergency, fetal anomaly, rape, or incest” (in cases of rape or incest, only through 12 weeks of gestation), and prohibit gender-affirming surgeries for minors, as well as the prescription of hormone therapy unless the medicine is being used for a reason other than for gender-affirming care.
Nevada — On The Ballot
Nevada Question 6, or the Right to Abortion Initiative, is on the ballot for November and is an initiated constitutional amendment, which is a citizen-initiated ballot measure to amend a state’s constitution. Voting yes for this amendment supports establishing a state constitutional right to abortion until fetal viability (typically around 23 to 24 weeks of gestation), except where medically indicated to “protect the life or health of the pregnant patient.” Currently, abortion is legal in Nevada up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. If Question 6 passes, it will enshrine the right to receive an abortion in the state constitution.
Constitutional amendments in Nevada need to be approved in two different election years in order to be passed. Since Question 6 passed in 2024, this year’s election will be the amendment’s second vote. If it passes during the 2026 election cycle, the Nevada state constitution will be amended.
Virginia — On The Ballot
The Virginia Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment is on the ballot in Virginia as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment, aka a ballot measure that appears on the ballot after being voted on by the state legislature. Voting yes supports establishing a constitutional right to reproductive freedom in Virginia. The amendment would prohibit the state from punishing an individual from receiving or aiding in medical care for a miscarriage, stillbirth, or an abortion.
Colorado — Potential
One policy measure potentially on the ballot in Colorado this election cycle is the Colorado Remove Constitutional Right to Abortion Initiative. If passed, this initiative would remove the provision in the Colorado state constitution that provides the right to abortion. In order to officially be on the ballot, organizers must gather a certain amount of signatures. After the signatures are submitted, the Colorado Secretary of State will check a random sample of the signatures to make sure they’re valid. If the sample projects that the initiative has more than 110% of the required valid signatures, the initiative will be approved to be on the ballot. If the sampling projects less than 90% of the required valid signatures, the initiative will be immediately rejected. If the sample falls between 90-110%, being in this middle zone usually calls for a count of every single signature individually to see if they’re valid. Signatures are due on August 3.
Idaho — Potential
The Idaho Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Initiative will potentially be on the ballot this year. This initiative would ensure that every Idahoan has the right to reproductive freedom and to make decisions about reproductive health care that “directly impacts the person’s own body,” according to the initiative’s submission to the Idaho Secretary of State. These decisions include abortion, childbirth care, contraception, fertility treatment, miscarriage care, and prenatal, pregnancy, and postpartum care. Idahoans United for Women and Families, the initiative organizers, submitted over 108,000 signatures to the Idaho Secretary of State’s office for certification. Officials had until June 30 to confirm the number of valid signatures submitted and report the results to the Idaho Secretary of State. If the secretary of state verifies that the initiative has an adequate number of signatures, the initiative will be placed on the ballot.