Every time abortion has literally been on the ballot — like in Michigan, Ohio and Kansas — voters have poured out in favor of abortion rights. Democrats have succeeded with abortion messaging, like Andy Beshear did in Kentucky, where he’s one of only two statewide Democrats in office. So now that Florida gets its chance to vote on abortion rights, Republicans should be fretting.
But national Republican officials are projecting calm. Their argument: Sure, this initiative will drive turnout, even among Republicans — but those Republican voters will cast their ballots for Republican candidates even as they vote to enshrine abortion rights into the state’s constitution.
“Abortion ballot initiatives will probably increase turnout, but I don’t think they’ll impact the race,” Rep. Richard Hudson, the chair of the official campaign arm for House Republicans, said.