Signs in support of the Abortion Rights Amendment are displayed during a rally on September 5, 2024 in Bozeman, Mont.

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William Campbell/Getty Images/Getty Images North America

HELENA, Mont. – Montanans have voted to protect reproductive rights in the state constitution, according to an Associated Press call.

Passing the ballot initiative will not change the status quo; abortion remains legal and accessible in the state. Access is protected by a 1999 Montana Supreme Court precedent, which found that the state’s right to privacy protects the right to terminate a pregnancy. Courts have upheld that precedent in recent years, the Republican majority government has attempted to restrict abortion.

But reproductive rights advocates say the precedent could be overturned, as in the case of Roe v. Wade in the US Constitution.

The Montana Constitution will now explicitly prohibit the government from taxing the right to abortion before fetal viability – around the 24th week of pregnancy. The measure also guarantees access to post-viability abortion to protect the life or health of the pregnant person.

Opponents, including Republican Governor Greg Gianforte, say the measure is too extreme and argue that abortion would be possible “up until the moment of birth.” KFF, a healthcare outlet, says that claim is false.

Montana is one of ten states that vote on abortion. An amendment in Florida failed to reach a 60% threshold. Meanwhile, voters added reproductive rights protections in Missouri, Colorado and Maryland.