Florida supreme court clears way for both abortion ballot measure and six-week ban

Court gave voters a chance to enshrine abortion in state constitution, but also paved way for six-week ban within 30 days

Florida residents will get the chance to vote on a ballot measure to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, the Florida state supreme court ruled on Monday, teeing up a dramatic electoral showdown over abortion access in a state that has become a haven for women fleeing southern abortion bans.

The decision is a victory for abortion rights activists - but one that was significantly tempered by a second decision also issued on Monday, in which the state supreme court ruled to uphold Florida's 15-week abortion ban. That decision paves the way for a separate six-week abortion ban - passed in 2023 but on hold pending the outcome of the case over the 15-week ban - to take effect.