Florida voters reject abortion rights and marijuana legalization measures in key election shift

Florida voters rejected two key ballot measures on November 5, 2024, aimed at protecting abortion rights and legalizing marijuana. This outcome marks a significant victory for Republican Governor Ron DeSantis, who campaigned against both initiatives. The abortion measure sought to prevent laws that restrict access until fetal viability, while the marijuana proposal would have allowed adults to possess small amounts of cannabis. Florida's current six-week abortion law remains in effect, and the marijuana initiative failed to gain the necessary voter support. The election results reflect a broader shift to the right in Florida, with Miami-Dade County experiencing an 18-point swing toward Republicans since 2020. This trend continues a decade-long movement of the state toward GOP dominance in statewide elections.