Supporters of abortion-rights ballot measures have amassed almost eight times the funding compared to opponents for the November elections. However, this financial edge might not translate into decisive gains in Florida, the priciest battleground among the nine states with measures to enshrine abortion rights into constitutions.
Analysis by Open Secrets and The Associated Press indicates that amendment supporters have collected nearly $108 million from numerous donors, overshadowing the $14 million gathered by their opponents. Yet, this disparity may not guarantee proportional spending to advance the measures before the Nov. 5 elections.
“The apparent differential on campaign finance reports does nothing to reassure me that we will not see large, late spending on these campaigns,” stated Kelly Hall, executive director of The Fairness Project, involved in funding abortion rights campaigns.
These ballot measures aim to reverse restrictions in certain states and cement protections in others following the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning Roe v. Wade. While many GOP-led states imposed bans or restrictions, Democratic-controlled states have protected abortion access.
The measures could also drive voter turnout during the elections.
THE MONEY GOES TO ADS — AND ELSEWHERE
With more funds, campaigns can reach voters through TV, radio, and online ads, as well as with mailers, yard signs, and increased grassroots efforts. This spending advantage is clear in Missouri and Montana, where large financial resources have led to significant ad purchases, as tracked by AdImpact.
In Missouri, abortion rights groups raised over $5 million, aided by donations like $1 million from Michael Bloomberg, supporting $11 million in ad spending. Meanwhile, opponents spent less than $50,000. Montana sees a similar trend, with over $11 million spent by amendment supporters.
Other states like Arizona, Colorado, Maryland, Nevada, and South Dakota have seen less ad activity. In Nebraska, although abortion opponents have raised less, they have spent slightly more on ads. Contribution reports in Nevada and South Dakota will be released later this month.
Supporters face additional expenses that opponents typically do not. Organizing signature drives to place measures on ballots incurs significant costs. Legal battles over ballot requirements also drain campaign finances, reducing funds available for voter outreach.
Conversely, legal challenges generally don’t affect opponents’ fundraising. The Thomas More Society, for instance, challenged measures in Missouri and Nebraska without filing campaign finance reports. In Florida, the state attorney general contested the measure, transferring legal costs to taxpayers.
FLORIDA’S OPPOSITION HAS HELP FROM THE GOP — AND THE STATE GOVERNMENT
Florida presents unique challenges. To pass, the measure needs 60% voter approval, unlike lower thresholds in other states. If successful, it would allow abortions until fetal viability or when necessary to protect a patient’s health, as assessed by a healthcare provider. Florida currently bans most abortions after six weeks, with some exceptions.
Abortion rights supporters reported over $60 million in funding, while opponents raised $9 million. The state Republican Party has spent $9.6 million on ads opposing the amendment, which is nearly half the $20.7 million from supporters. However, using industry metrics, the opposition’s reach is greater.
State government contributes to the opposition through a website claiming, “Amendment 4 threatens women’s safety.” Advocates sued last month to halt the taxpayer-funded content but a judge allowed the site to remain.
CONTRIBUTORS INCLUDE BIG NAMES WITH DEEP POCKETS, ALONG WITH SMALLER DONORS
Peter Northcutt from National Right to Life highlights the financial challenge faced by the anti-abortion movement against well-funded opponents. “The abortion industry and their allies bring massive funds to the table,” he explained, emphasizing the uphill battle against well-funded amendments.
Planned Parenthood has contributed over $1 million to back amendments. Marsha Zlatin Laufer, a leading donor, has donated over $9 million in Florida. Several groups, like the Sixteen Thirty Fund and The Fairness Project, also support the cause but aren’t required to disclose donors.
Nationally, abortion rights groups have over 94,000 donors compared to fewer than 2,600 for opponents. Prominent contributors on the opposition side include U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts and his mother, Marlene Ricketts, each donating at least $1 million in Nebraska, where competing ballot measures are proposed.
In Nebraska, both sides have raised similar amounts, between $3 million and $4 million, given the competing ballot measures—one to expand abortion access and the other to uphold the current ban after 12 weeks of pregnancy.
SOME BIG ANTI-ABORTION GROUPS HAVEN’T PUT CASH IN THE RACES
The funding gap is partly due to major national organizations like The Concord Fund and Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America not heavily investing in this year’s campaign funding. In 2022, The Concord Fund spent over $25 million in Ohio against similar measures, which ended in the abortion-rights side prevailing. Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, which aimed to raise $92 million for political campaigns, focused instead on supporting Republicans in elections rather than abortion-related measures this year.
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