Breaking: Florida Voters Reject Late-Term Abortion Ballot Measure in Major DeSantis Victory

Florida voters rejected a ballot measure to legalize late-term abortion Tuesday night, a major victory for Republican governor Ron DeSantis and a reflection of the state’s rightward shift.

The ballot measure, Constitutional Amendment 4, will fall just short of the 60 percent threshold required to pass, NBC News projects. Had it passed, the amendment would have enshrined in the state constitution a right to abortion up until the point of fetal viability.

DeSantis declared victory shortly after polls closed and immediately received widespread praise from conservatives.

“Tonight, Florida set an example again for the rest of the nation. Florida's blueprint proved you can beat the Soros-backed, dark money, out-of-state abortionists with strong, vocal leadership willing to publicly stand for what's right despite the arrows that come,” said Taryn Fenske, a spokeswoman for the Vote No on 4 Campaign.

“Florida showed that you could persuade voters with truth and reason, educating them on the dangers of Amendment 4, and revealing its motives to undermine the American family.”

The ballot referendum is the first to go pro-lifers’ way since Roe was overturned. The victory came despite the fact that pro-life activists were greatly outspent in Florida in large part because progressive group Floridians Protecting Freedom poured $60 million into the race, according to non-partisan watchdog Open Secrets.

“The demise of pro-abortion Amendment 4 is a momentous victory for life in Florida and for our entire country,” said Susan B. Anthony pro-life America president Marjorie Dannenfelser. “Thanks to Gov. Ron DeSantis, when we wake up tomorrow, babies with beating hearts will still be protected in the free state of Florida.”

Before the vote, Florida pro-lifers were cautiously optimistic about defeating Amendment 4 as DeSantis’s political operation threw itself into the battle. DeSantis traveled across the state to campaign against Amendment 4 and his administration launched a public-awareness campaign against it leading up to election day.

DeSantis, a practicing Catholic, previously signed a six-week abortion ban that the ballot measure would have made moot. Former president Donald Trump criticized the state’s six-week abortion ban, but said he would vote against the abortion referendum after outcry from pro-life groups.

The victory is arguably the pro-life movement’s biggest win since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022 and sent abortion legalization back to the states. Pro-abortion activists have successfully won ballot measures to legalize abortion in multiple red-states government largely by pro-life GOP elected officials.

Amendment 3, which would have legalized recreational marijuana, also failed.

Critics of the amendment pointed out that the new strains of legal marijuana are dangerously potent and argued that widespread marijuana usage is becoming a public nuisance. They also argued that the amendment was written to advantage two large corporate players in the marijuana industry and would not allow small business owners to compete in the space.

Marijuana legalization became a popular progressive cause last decade and achieved victories in two-dozen states. Some states have had issues getting the marijuana industry off the ground because of stringent licensing requirements and well-established black-markets.

“This is clearly one of Big Marijuana's biggest defeats yet. Floridians have dealt a remarkable blow to one of the largest commercial marijuana companies in the U.S. and others in the addiction industry. With the rejection of Amendment 3, Floridians have taken a firm stance against the dangerous drugs the pot profiteers tried to convince the public are harmless,” said Kevin Sabet, a drug policy expert and president of Smart Approaches to Marijuana.

“Governor DeSantis was steadfast in his opposition to this initiative because he understands the dangers associated with these drugs, and we want to thank him for his principled stance for public health and safety.”

Across the board, Republicans saw major victories in Florida on election day, continuing the state’s transformation from perennial bellwether to Republican stronghold. Former president Donald Trump and Senator Rick Scott (R) took the state easily against Democratic rivals Kamala Harris and Debbie Mucarsel-Powell.