Democrats see abortion, Harris as leading them back to House majority
by Mychael Schnell - 08/16/24 8:33 AM ET
House Democrats — already energized by the surging presidential ticket topped by Vice President Harris — are increasingly optimistic that a growing number of abortion referendums across the country this cycle will help them win the House and the presidency come November.
The secretaries of state in Arizona and Missouri greenlighted two pro-abortion rights ballot initiatives this week, bringing the total number of referendums regarding the issue to eight this cycle, according to KFF. A handful of other efforts are pending across the country.
Women’s reproductive rights played a crucial role in the 2022 midterm elections, when anger over the Supreme Court decision striking down Roe v. Wade drove Democrats to ballot boxes in large numbers, producing better-than-expected results for the party. The Democratic enthusiasm blunted a widely anticipated GOP “red wave,” leaving Republicans with just a slim majority in the House.
With less than three months to go until Election Day, House Democrats are hopeful the rising number of abortion initiatives on the ballot — coupled with Harris’s place as the presidential nominee — will help motivate voters and generate victories for the party, both at the top of the ticket and downballot.
“When abortion rights are on the ballot, people turn out to defend their rights, and Democrats win,” Rep. Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), the chair of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), told The Hill in an interview. “This has been true throughout this cycle — in special election after special election, we have seen increased turnout when abortion has been on the ballot.”
“We want to put laws passed in place to protect reproductive freedom. That’s a top priority for us,” she later added, “and we’re gonna be very clear to voters across the country about that, and so will Vice President Harris.”
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https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4830485-abortion-ballot-measures-democrats-2024-election/
