Jeri Cohen, a 71-year-old from Florida, recalls traveling to New York in 1970 for an abortion just as she was starting college. In 1989, she established the Women’s Emergency Network, Florida’s largest abortion fund, to assist women who needed to travel or seek financial aid for abortion services.

On election night, Cohen and fellow abortion rights advocates faced a disappointing outcome: Amendment 4, intended to abolish the state’s 6-week abortion ban, garnered 57.1% of votes, falling short of the necessary 60% majority.

A tweet that shared election results went viral, noting: “This entire image is actually a metaphor for what it’s like to be a woman.”

A commenter responded, “You nailed it. Even when we win, we lose.” This feeling resonates deeply with Nyobi Fleming, a high school senior in Florida involved in the Say Yes to Prop 4 campaign.

“We worked tirelessly, we fought with all our might,” Fleming expressed. “Everyone was in favor, but there’s still a significant ‘no’.” She often wonders if a few more door knocks or one more night of phone banking could have changed that 3% outcome.

Cohen fears that potential donors for the Women’s Emergency Network might lose interest: “We had this amendment that captured everyone’s attention, but what happens when life goes back to normal for people, or they think this fight is hopeless?”

Fleming points out that even those closest to the cause might feel that abortion rights are a losing proposition in the state.

“It’s encouraging to know that most Floridians were in favor,” she states, yet it still wasn’t adequate.

Understanding the Results of the Florida Abortion Amendment

While many states only require a simple majority for ballot measures, Florida adjusted its rule in 2006, raising the approval threshold to 60%. Ironically, that amendment also passed with a mere 57.78%.

“Reflecting on significant civil rights movements in America, it’s clear that perseverance is key. The fight requires resilience beyond what seems possible,” says Juliet Williams, a gender studies professor at UCLA. “While this outcome is disappointing, we must persist and cannot dictate the timeline for victory, but we are committed for the long haul.”

Stephanie Loraine Piñeiro, Executive Director of the Florida Access Network, finds hope in the fact that a majority of Floridians voted for the amendment.

“Although the support for Amendment 4 fell short, it clearly shows our communities’ commitment to safeguarding abortion access in Florida,” she stated. “The path ahead will be challenging, but our determination remains strong.”

Consequences of Restricted Abortion Access

Research by Antonia Biggs, an associate professor involved in the Advancing New Standard in Reproductive Health program at UCSF, shows that individuals denied abortions often experience increased stress, anxiety, and diminished self-esteem. Furthermore, she found that the number of self-managed abortions has risen following the Dobbs decision, with individuals resorting to various means, including herbs and physical methods.

Recently, ProPublica reported on the tragic outcomes faced by two women in Texas who died after delays in miscarriage care due to strict abortion regulations. Earlier, they had connected two maternal fatalities to a similar abortion ban in Georgia. Additionally, a study in JAMA Pediatrics revealed that the mortality rate for infants born with birth defects surged by 10% across the U.S. after the Dobbs ruling.

Fleming points out a significant gender disparity in reactions to the election results in Florida. “Even among my male friends, while they feel disappointed, they don’t carry the same overwhelming fear and anxiety I experience when recognizing something is fundamentally wrong,” she says.

Florida is Not a ‘Lost Cause’

Bree Wallace, the Case Management Director at Tampa Bay Abortion Fund, mentions that their organization encounters “all types of cases,” with clients ranging from 5 to 25 weeks pregnant, facing medical issues, financial constraints, or simply not wishing to continue with unwanted pregnancies.

“Many individuals are feeling lost and anxious,” Wallace acknowledges. “There’s a lot of fear-mongering and misinformation circulating after elections, leading people to believe that abortions are no longer an option. Our aim is to clarify that this is not the reality, and we wish to inform people.”

It’s important to recognize that abortion remains accessible, despite the restriction imposed after six weeks.

Fleming does not want this vote to contribute to the narrative that Florida is a “lost cause.”

Sarah Parker, the campaign board chair for Yes on 4, shares this sentiment, stating that organizers will persist in their efforts with lawmakers. She remarked, “Was it a win? Definitely not. But it was not a loss either. We understand that this is far from over. We woke up ready to organize, and that’s what we do in Florida, out of love for our state, our community, and the people.”

In her concession speech on Wednesday, Vice President Kamala Harris told supporters that she will “never surrender the battle” for American women to have the autonomy to make decisions regarding their own bodies without government interference.

“This isn’t the time to give up,” she emphasized. “Now is the moment to get to work.”

Fleming agrees, saying, “There’s still a tremendous amount of work ahead. We shouldn’t abandon Florida, nor the women of Florida.”