Dem
51
GOP
49
Obviously, most of our attention this week is on the DNC. However, there were a couple of non-convention news stories yesterday that merit a mention. Yesterday, we noted that nine states will have abortion initiatives on the ballot. That might have been 10, but... no.
The paperwork needed to get an initiative on the Arkansas ballot is pretty complicated, and the pro-choice forces didn't quite get it right. The will of the voters was pretty clear, but paperwork is paperwork. Anti-choice forces asked the Arkansas Supreme Court to toss the initiative; pro-choice forces asked that it remain on the ballot, or, failing that, that some extra time be given to allow them to "cure" the problem. Yesterday, the state Supreme Court, by a vote of 4-3, sided with the anti-choice folks, and tossed the initiative off the ballot.
If this had happened in Montana or Florida or Arizona, it would be a real kick in the teeth for the Democrats, electorally. Arkansas, however, has no statewide races this year, no U.S. Senate race, and no competitive House districts (they are all ruby red). This being the case, the big losers yesterday were Arkansan women who desire reproductive freedom. Presumably, they'll get their day, but it will have to wait until the next election cycle, which is in 2026. (Z)