Democrats Won Practically Everywhere Last Night, and Helped Protect Abortion Access

Many of these contests were framed as referendums on Donald Trump’s presidency, which they were. But abortion access was also on the ballot in several states—it just got less attention during the campaign.

Here’s a breakdown of the four states where the outcome impacts reproductive freedom.

California

Voters passed Proposition 50 to allow the state to use a legislature-drawn Congressional map from 2026 through 2030, rather than one from an independent redistricting commission. Gov. Gavin Newsom did this as a response to Trump urging Texas to pass new Congressional maps this summer to help him steal the House of Representatives in 2026; other states have followed Texas’ lead.

Democrats controlling the House after the midterms matters for holding Trump accountable, but it also means they can block bills targeting access to abortion and reproductive healthcare, like the budget law that “defunded” Planned Parenthood for one year. That law is leading to closures of clinics around the country, including in places where abortion is still legal. If Prop 50 had failed, the House might have had the votes to pass a nationwide abortion ban at 20 weeks. Now Democrats have a real chance to flip control of that body next year.

New Jersey

Rep. Mikie Sherrill defied political gravity to keep the Governor’s office controlled by the same party for a third consecutive term for the first time since the 1960s. In doing so, she effectively prevented an abortion ban. Her opponent, GOP nominee Jack Ciattarelli, said he would sign a 20-week ban, which would have been devastating, as New Jersey is one of nine states plus Washington D.C., with no gestational limit on abortion. Still, there are no providers offering care after 28 weeks. A new all-trimester abortion clinic is set to open next year, and the clinic owners had feared that the outcome of the election would impact their ability to care for people who need abortions later in pregnancy.

Pennsylvania

Three judges on the state Supreme Court won their retention elections to continue serving, which is great news for an active court case that could expand abortion access in the state. The court said in January 2024 that a ban on Medicaid covering abortion care is sex-based discrimination, which is presumptively unconstitutional under the state’s Equal Rights Amendment. The court didn’t strike down the ban at that point, but instead sent the case back to a lower court to apply the standard it set. The lawsuit over the Medicaid ban is likely to end up back at the high court, which has set the stage to fully overturn it and expand access to care. If that effort proves successful, advocates might choose to challenge other unnecessary restrictions still on the books.

Virginia

Former Rep. Abigail Spanberger flipped the Virginia governorship and Democrats won more seats in the House of Delegates, wins that protect abortion access in both the short and long term. Spanberger’s opponent, Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, pledged to sign an abortion ban at 15 weeks, if not earlier. Virginia is the only Southern state without a post-Dobbs ban, and it’s a destination for care. In the longer term, the House of Delegates is now set to pass a constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights in the next session, after which it will go before voters in 2026.

Savor this good news for now, as a lot more bad things will happen by Election Day 2026.