State legislatures write choice-related laws that have a huge impact on women’s health and lives. Some states have great pro-choice laws. But in other states, anti-choice politicians are intruding on our private health decisions.
Who Represents You?
State Laws
What choice-related laws does your state have? Click your state to get started.
If you're having trouble with the map, find your state here.
Looking for the big picture? Check out our overview of pro-choice laws and overview of anti-choice laws passed in the states last year.
States Report
Our annual report, Who Decides? The Status of Women's Reproductive Rights in the United States, takes a look at choice-related laws in each state and at the federal level.
- Read the report online
- Download the full report (PDF - 8.5MB)
- Download the report card of state grades (PDF)
Ballot Measures
Do voters ever decide on issues related to a woman's right to choose? In many states, the answer is yes. Anti-choice groups put measures on the ballot to advance their agenda.
Recent Ballot Measures
Mississippi "Personhood" Measure
Mississippi voters defeated the anti-choice "personhood" measure, known as Initiative 26. It could have banned abortion and many types of birth control.
Ballot Measures in 2012
Arkansas
In Arkansas, anti-choice extremists are working to put a far-reaching “personhood” measure on the ballot, similar to the one that an overwhelming majority of Mississippi voters rejected in 2011.
California
In California, anti-choice forces are collecting signatures for ballot measures that would impose a dangerous parental-involvement mandate and mandatory 48-hour delay on young women who seek abortion care. These measures jeopardize the health and safety of young women who, for fear of violence or in cases of incest, cannot turn to their parents. In addition, anti-choice advocates have proposed a "personhood" measure on the ballot, which would ban abortion.
Colorado
In Colorado, anti-choice extremists are working to put a far-reaching “personhood” measure on the ballot, even though Colorado voters defeated similar measures by overwhelming margins in 2008 and 2010.
Florida
Voters in Florida will vote on an amendment that would eliminate protections in Florida's constitution that guarantee women the right to privacy. Florida voters will also vote on a vague and far-reaching measure that could allow employers to deny their employees basic health-insurance coverage.
Georgia
Anti-choice lawmakers have introduced a measure that would put an extreme “personhood” ballot initiative before the voters.
Minnesota
The Minnesota legislature is trying to place a measure on the ballot to ban low-income women from using their state health plans to cover abortion. This ban also could apply to state employee health-insurance plans.
In addition, lawmakers in the state are working to put a “personhood” measure before voters.
Missouri
The Missouri legislature is considering sending two anti-choice ballot measures to voters. If the first measure passes, low-income women in the state would have abortion coverage only in cases of life endangerment – rape and incest survivors would no longer get coverage.
The second allows your boss or a corporation to refuse to provide coverage for any medical service by claiming a moral or religious objection. It is extremely broad and could make it very difficult for women to get reproductive-health services.
Montana
In 2012, Montana voters will face a parental-involvement measure. It would jeopardize the health and safety of young women who, for fear of violence or in cases of incest, cannot turn to their parents. In addition, anti-choice groups are collecting signatures to place a "personhood" measure on the ballot. This measure would outlaw abortion and could even ban common forms of birth control.
Nevada
Anti-choice advocates have initiated a campaign to place a "personhood" measure on the ballot, which could ban abortion and even common forms of birth control. The measure's backers are collecting the signatures needed to qualify it for the ballot.
New Jersey
The New Jersey legislature is trying to place two anti-choice constitutional amendments on the ballot. The first would ban low-income women from using their state health plan to pay for abortion care except in cases of life, rape, and incest. It also would end insurance coverage of abortion for state employees except if a woman’s life is in danger.
The second amendment would remove the protections in the state's constitution that bar parental-involvement mandates. Should this measure pass, the legislature would have the power to enact anti-choice parental-involvement laws that threaten young women’s access to safe, confidential care.
North Dakota
On June 12, 2012, North Dakota voters will vote on Measure 3, which would allow any boss to deny his employees birth-control coverage and other reproductive-health care.
Ohio
Anti-choice advocates in Ohio have initiated a campaign to place a "personhood" measure on the ballot. It would ban abortion and could even make some common forms of birth control illegal. The deadline for submitting the Ohio petition's signatures is July 4, 2012.
Oregon
Anti-choice advocates in Oregon have initiated a campaign to place a "personhood" measure on the ballot, with the intention to ban abortion. In addition, they are collecting signatures to put a measure on the ballot to ban low-income women from using their state health plans to pay for abortion care.
News & Updates
Nancy Keenan to Depart NARAL Pro-Choice America
Nancy Keenan, who became president of NARAL Pro-Choice America in December 2004, will continue her strong and successful leadership at the helm until the January 2013.
Kansas Breaks New Ground Attacking Choice
Kansas is on the verge of becoming the first state to attack women's abortion care using the tax code.
Follow Us on Tumblr
We're excited to announce the launch of our brand new Tumblr – Stand Up for Down There. It's a fun and fresh way to talk about choice. Check it out today!
