Montana set to vote on abortion rights ballot measure in November

Montana will be the eighth state to vote on enshrining abortion rights this November, after the Montana Secretary of State’s office approved the ballot measure.

NEW: Abortion rights initiative is approved for the November ballot in Montana

(Montana has a critical and competitive US Senate race in November) pic.twitter.com/HAXelOjznd

— Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) August 21, 2024

Abortion in Montana is currently legal, despite several attempts to restrict the procedure from the Republican-dominated state legislature. In February, three anti-abortion laws were also struck down and deemed unconstitutional by a district Judge.

The ballot measure will be in front of voters as they also decide whether to replace incumbent Sen. Jon Tester (D) in a race that is likely to decide which party controls the U.S. Senate. The new ballot measure will likely make reproductive rights an issue alongside a Senate race, and Tester’s opponent Tim Sheehy has an extensive pro-life section on his website.

Last week, the Montana Supreme Court ruled that a law restricting abortion access for minors was unconstitutional, prompting responses from both Tester and Sheehy.

“No politician should be in the business of making health care decisions for women,” the Tester spokesperson reportedly said. “[Jon Tester] will continue to fight for Montana women to have the freedom and privacy to make their own personal health care decisions.”

Sheehy’s campaign responded by complaining that parental rights were weakened.

“This move by the Montana Supreme Court should concern every Montanan — parents absolutely should be a part of their child’s health care,” a Sheehy spokesperson said.