Abortion Measure on Montana Ballot Helps Tester's Senate Campaign

Montana voters will decide in November whether to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, following a successful petition drive that placed the measure on the ballot. This development is seen as a potential boost for Democratic Senator Jon Tester, who is seeking a fourth term in a state that heavily favored former President Donald Trump in the 2020 election. Democratic leaders believe that the abortion issue could mobilize voters, particularly younger demographics, similar to the turnout seen in Michigan during the 2022 elections. The abortion measure aims to solidify a 1999 state Supreme Court ruling that protects pre-viable abortions under the right to privacy. This comes in the wake of a 2023 law passed by Republicans asserting that privacy rights do not extend to abortion. The measure is part of a broader trend, as several states, including Arizona and Nevada, will also have abortion rights on their ballots, reflecting a national conversation on reproductive rights since the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Polling indicates that Tester is currently trailing Republican nominee Tim Sheehy by an average of two to five points, raising concerns for Democrats about maintaining their slim Senate majority. Tester's absence from the recent Democratic National Convention has drawn criticism, with Republicans framing it as a sign of his vulnerability and disconnect from party leadership. Democratic strategists, however, remain optimistic that the abortion rights measure will galvanize support for Tester and other candidates, emphasizing its potential to influence voter turnout in a critical election cycle where every seat counts.