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South Dakota rejects abortion ban South Dakota rejects abortion ban
(about 1 hour later)
Voters in South Dakotans have rejected a near-total ban on abortion, in one of the highest profile state referendums taking place alongside the US polls. Voters in South Dakota have rejected a near total ban on abortion in one of the highest profile state referendums taking place alongside the US polls.
Voters rejected the ban signed into law in March but not yet in effect. Voters rejected the ban, signed into law in March but not yet in effect.
In several states, voters rejected gay marriage, by limiting marriage to unions between a man and woman. In several states, voters rejected gay marriage by limiting marriage to unions between a man and a woman.
There were 205 various referendums in 37 states. The referendums, known as ballot measures, are proposed state laws that must be decided by voters. There were, in total, 205 referendums in 37 states. The referendums, known as ballot initiatives, are proposed state laws that must be decided by voters.
Tobacco and smoking taxes, property rights and minimum wage levels were also big issues put to the vote.Tobacco and smoking taxes, property rights and minimum wage levels were also big issues put to the vote.
Hopes for turnoutHopes for turnout
Missouri approved a measure backing stem cell research, despite the opposition of by George W Bush to much of this research. Missouri approved a measure backing stem cell research, despite the opposition of George W Bush to much of this research.
Of the eight states where marriage amendments were on the ballot, six - Virginia, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Tennessee, South Dakota and Colorado - were headed toward opposing gay marriage. Of the eight states where marriage amendments were on the ballot, six - Virginia, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Tennessee, South Dakota and Colorado - were heading towards a rejection of gay marriage.
Conservatives hoped the votes on same-sex marriage bans might increase turnout for Republicans. Conservatives had been hoping the votes on same-sex marriage might increase turnout for the Republican Party.
Democrats looked for a boost from low-income voters turning out on behalf of measures to raise the state minimum wage in six states.Democrats looked for a boost from low-income voters turning out on behalf of measures to raise the state minimum wage in six states.
Correspondents said no measure galvanised political activists across the country like the South Dakota abortion measure. But correspondents said no measure galvanised political activists across the country like the South Dakota abortion measure.
The law would have allowed abortions only to save a pregnant woman's life.The law would have allowed abortions only to save a pregnant woman's life.
Had it been upheld, abortion-rights supporters would likely have launched a legal challenge to the 1973 Roe v Wade decision, enshrining a woman's right to an abortion. Had it been upheld, abortion-rights supporters were expected to launch a legal challenge to the 1973 Roe v Wade decision, enshrining a woman's right to an abortion.