Pro-abortion advocates prevailed in three of four ballot referendums, while Democrats won control of both the House and Senate in the Nov. 3 elections, prompting responses from some U.S. Catholic bishops and pro-life groups.
Voters in Virginia and Nevada adopted amendments to their state constitutions to create a legal right to abortion, with more than 62% support in both states. Voters in Missouri easily defeated a pro-life referendum that would have repealed their state constitution's legal right to abortion, with 55.5% voting against it.
Alternatively, voters in Idaho decisively rejected a referendum that would have changed state law to create a legal right to abortion, with 56% of voters casting their ballots for "no."
The balance of power in Congress shifted significantly. Democrats have flipped at least seven Republican Senate seats (two Republican-held seats are still too close to call). Democrats won control of the House and are on pace to have more than a 70-seat majority.
Reactions to abortion referendums
Catholic bishops were heavily involved in the four abortion referendum battles, seeking to rally the faithful behind the Church's teaching about the sanctity of life and cast their ballots in line with the pro-life causes.
After a resounding 25-point victory for abortion in Virginia, the bishops in both Catholic dioceses in the commonwealth called the results "profoundly tragic."
"Unless a court intervenes, this decision will embed virtually limitless abortion into the constitution," Diocese of Richmond Bishop Barry C. Knestout and Diocese of Arlington Bishop Michael F. Burbidge said in a joint statement.
"It will put women's health and safety at severe risk and leave parents out of life-altering and irreversible decisions involving their minor daughters," they said. "Most fundamentally, this extreme, radical, dangerous and deadly constitutional amendment is a complete rejection of the immeasurable value of human life, created in God's image and likeness."
Olivia Gans Turner, president of Virginia Society for Human Life, expressed concern about how far-reaching the referendum would go and said: "The winners of this vote will be abortion businesses who will be able to operate unregulated and without any serious accountability in the commonwealth. The losers of tonight's vote are the women and unborn children who will now be without any legal protections going forward."
The Nevada Catholic Conference — which represents the state's two dioceses, the Diocese of Reno and the Archdiocese of Las Vegas — also issued a statement following the 26-point win for abortion rights in their state.
"A vote can change Nevada's constitution, but it cannot change the dignity and value of every human life," the statement read. "We are deeply disappointed by the passage of Question 6. However, this election does not end our responsibility to the unborn or to mothers who need our help."
"The Nevada Catholic Conference remains committed to protecting human life and supporting women and families," it added. "We will keep speaking up for the unborn and all human life from conception to natural death."
The Missouri Catholic Conference also issued a statement — signed by the bishops of all four dioceses — which said it is "profoundly saddened" voters rejected the pro-life amendment.
"This result, however, does not mark the end of our work," the statement read. "The Catholic Church in Missouri will continue to advocate for policies that uphold the dignity of every person, protect the most vulnerable among us, and provide compassionate support to those in need, as she has always done."
"We remain steadfast in our commitment to accompany mothers and fathers facing hardship in their pregnancies and to offer hope and healing to those who have been wounded by the scourge of abortion," the bishops added.
Carol Tobias, president of National Right to Life, said the pro-life defeat "will continue to open the door to abortion throughout pregnancy" but that "tonight's results are a setback, but it's not the final word."
"An election cannot diminish the humanity of an unborn child or end our responsibility to speak for those whose lives are at risk," Tobias said.
The Diocese of Boise, the only Catholic diocese in Idaho, has not yet issued a statement on the pro-life victory in the state. The diocese did not immediately respond to a request for comment, though Bishop Peter Christensen had been encouraging priests to emphasize the teaching on the sanctity of human life at every Mass leading up to the vote.
Emily Naugle, president of Right to Life of Idaho, said in a statement that "Idaho voters saw through a campaign designed to pit women against their unborn babies and recognized that our current laws protect both."
"Pro-Life advocates came together and fought as though lives depended on it, because they do. They worked tirelessly to expose the truth about Proposition 1," Naugle said. "We are relishing this victory and are proud to stand among the many voices who spoke up for the most vulnerable in our society this election."
Reaction to election results
There have not been many reactions from bishops about the congressional results, although the Colorado Catholic Conference — which represents all of the state's bishops — put out a statement congratulating all winners and urging them to support the common good.
"We call upon our elected leaders to implement policies that defend and uplift the most vulnerable members of our human family," the statement read, according to the Denver Catholic.
"We also urge you to firmly protect the religious liberty of all individuals and faith-based organizations, safeguarding their right to serve the community according to their convictions," it added. "May your governance be guided by a steadfast commitment to justice, peace and the flourishing of our entire state."
Some pro-life organizations have expressed concern about the Democrats' congressional wins due to the pro-abortion stances of the bulk of the party's candidates.
Tobias said in a statement that many pro-life politicians were "replaced with rabidly anti-life candidates" but noted "we've faced difficult times before — and we're still here."
"We will continue to push for laws that protect babies and help their moms, while looking for new and innovative ways to love them both," she said. "We will work to make sure that every pregnant woman knows she is not alone. And we will continue to promote the value of innocent human life so that, even if abortion is legal, no woman will want one."
Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser asserted in a statement that Republican turnout was low because the Republican Party has watered down its pro-life stances.
"Republican consultants got the campaign they wanted — and the defeat they earned," she said. "You cannot spend years telling your base to sit down and shut up, then act surprised when they don't stand up for you on Election Day. Republicans must stop running from the pro-life fight and start giving voters a reason to fight for them."
A poll released by the Pew Research Center in October found that 43% of Republicans listed abortion as a "very important" factor in their vote. However, 82% listed the economy as "very important" and many other issues surpassed abortion in terms of importance for Republican voters, such as immigration, foreign policy, and violent crime.
