If you’re wondering where to put your money in these last weeks before the election this might help give you focus. From 538:
High-profile congressional races tend to grab national attention in election years. But we’re also paying close attention to races for governor and state house seats that could shape the future of abortion access in several states.
Here’s what you should know.
North Carolina Republicans are looking to flip some key seats in the state legislature and pass an abortion ban that would withstand a veto from the Democratic governor. According to Planned Parenthood, around a third of women getting abortions in North Carolina in July came from out of state. So an abortion ban in the state would affect people seeking abortions in states beyond North Carolina.
Right now, abortion is legal in Pennsylvania until 24 weeks of pregnancy (with some restrictions). Republicans control the state legislature, but the current governor is a Democrat and can veto bills. Doug Mastriano, the GOP nominee for PA governor, has said that abortion should not be legal in any situation. Since the legislature will likely push for even more restrictive abortion laws now, abortion access in the state hinges on the governor’s race.
In Wisconsin, a pre-Civil War ban now makes it illegal to have an abortion in almost every circumstance. The fate of the ban could depend on who is elected governor and attorney general in November. The @nytimes reported that in Wisconsin, the “priorities for abortion rights advocates include preventing Republicans from securing a veto-proof majority in the state legislature and re-electing the (Democratic) governor and attorney general.”
Learn about the states where the midterms could most affect abortion access, including Arizona, Georgia and more
You can click here to see which states have ballot issues pertaining to abortion. We don’t need to worry about California and Vermont but the rest are in grave danger.