Results in the 2022 general election appear to have mostly maintained the status quo in national and statewide races.
The outcome in several U.S. House and Senate races remains uncertain (as of 11 a.m. Central time on Nov. 9). House seats in New York and California were too close to call, as were Senate races in Georgia, Wisconsin, Nevada and Arizona, according to multiple news outlets.
Abortion
Voters in six states leaned toward pro-choice stances on abortion-related ballot measures following the fall of Roe v. Wade in June.
In Kentucky, voters appear to have rejected a constitutional amendment declaring the state’s constitution does not protect the right to abortion. As of this morning (Nov. 9) with 97 of 120 counties reporting, the Kentucky Secretary of State’s office reports 667,935 votes (53%) against the amendment and 588,642 votes (47%) in favor.
Kentucky law permits abortion only if the health of the mother is at serious risk. That law is being challenged.
Voters in California, Michigan and Vermont approved measures enshrining abortion rights in their state constitutions.
Vermont is one of four states that allow abortions at any stage of pregnancy. New Mexico, Colorado and Alaska are the others, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a research and policy organization affiliated with the abortion-rights movement. California and Michigan permit abortions before “viability,” usually defined as 24 to 26 weeks of pregnancy.
Montana voters appear to have rejected the state’s Born-Alive Infant Protection Act. Early results show 53.69% of voters rejecting the measure that affirms infants born alive are legal persons and should be given medical care regardless of their stage of development. Montana restricts abortions after viability.
Guttmacher reports that since the June 24 Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, 66 clinics across 15 states have ceased offering abortions.
Marijuana
Maryland and Missouri voters approved constitutional amendments legalizing recreational marijuana for people 21 and over. South Dakota’s marijuana legalization initiative was still too close to call early Wednesday. Arkansas and North Dakota voters rejected legalization proposals on Tuesday.
Colorado voters weighed in on whether the state should define certain fungi and psychedelic plants as natural medicine. The amendment would also allow personal use, possession, transportation and growth of the substances for people who are 21 or older. As of early Wednesday, the vote was too early to call, according to media reports.
Alabama results
In Alabama, Gov. Kay Ivey easily won reelection. Alabama voters also elected Katie Britt to serve in the U.S. Senate following the retirement of Sen. Richard Shelby.
Alabama voters approved a reorganization of the state’s constitution and likely passed a slate of 10 amendments. The Associated Press has projected amendments 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9 and 10 to pass. A projection on amendment 6 has not been made.
The Alabama Secretary of State’s office reports that 1,419,718 ballots were cast in Alabama, representing 38.5% of the 3,687,753 registered voters in the state.
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