WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. — Florida voters are deciding whether to protect abortion rights and legalize marijuana, potential landmark victories for Democrats in a state that has quickly shifted toward Republicans in recent years.
The abortion measure would prevent lawmakers from passing a law that criminalizes, bans, delays or restricts abortion viability of the fetuswhich according to doctors is sometime after 21 weeks. If it is rejected, the state is restrictive six-week abortion law would hold, making Florida one of the first states to reject abortion rights through a ballot initiative since Roe v. Wade was overturned.
The marijuana measure is of great importance in a state that is home to a large population of farmers and a vibrant medical marijuana industry. The ballot initiative would allow adults 21 and older to possess about 3 ounces of marijuana, and it would allow businesses that already grow and sell marijuana to sell it to them. This vote also comes at a time when federal officials are in the process of redistricting marijuana as a less dangerous drug.
The voting measures must be approved by more than 60% of voters. In other states, abortion rights have been found to have boosted turnout and been a key issue that helped Democrats keep several Senate seats in 2022.
Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis and other state leaders have campaigned against the measures for months. Democrats campaigned heavily in support of both issues, hoping to inspire party supporters to the polls. The Republicans have a 1 million voter registration advantage over the Democrats.
One of DeSantis’ arguments against the marijuana initiative is that it will hurt the state’s tourism because of the weed stench in the air. But other Republican leaders, including Florida residents Donald Trump and former GOP state chairman Sen. Joe Gruters support legalizing recreational marijuana.
Trump went back and forth on how he would vote on the state’s abortion rights initiative before ultimately saying he would oppose it.