Nebraskans voted to amend their state constitution to ban abortion after 12 weeks of pregnancy, according to The Associated Press.
More voters came out in favor of the 12-week ban amendment than did those for a competing measure that would have enshrined the right to an abortion up until fetal viability. The 12-week measure also leaves the door open to future restrictions in the first trimester. The abortion rights measure did not pass.
“While today is a disappointing day, the fight for our fundamental rights and freedoms never ends,” said Allie Berry, who managed the abortion rights campaign.
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Currently, abortion in Nebraska is banned after 12 weeks, with exception for rape, incest and a threat to the life of the pregnant patient. The state’s 12-week ban led to a drop in abortions of almost 10 percent, according to data from the state health department.
Nebraska is the only state in the country to have had two competing abortion measures on the ballot. Abortion opponents unsuccessfully sought to keep the pro-abortion measure from appearing on the state ballot.
