These way-down-ballot races will decide whether abortion is legal for millions

But the outcome of a handful of state legislative races this fall could restrict abortion access further or halt it altogether, there as well as in several other purple states. These far-down-the-ballot contests usually don’t register on the national radar, compared to the battle for control of Congress — but they could have a profound effect on the post-Roe abortion landscape.

Democrats on the ground are pouring organizing power into these races and leaning into abortion in conversations with voters, believing it could shift the political environment in their direction. But Democrats often fall behind Republicans in spending on state legislative races, and Jessica Post, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, said the disparity has become alarming. The Republican State Leadership Committee outraised the DLCC by nearly $4 million during the last fundraising quarter.

“If we continue to neglect this level of the ballot, there will be devastating consequences,” Post said. “If you want to protect abortion rights, the single best place to devote your time, energy and resources is on state legislative races.”