Erik White 

Our neighbours in Michigan have voted to enshrine abortion rights in their state constitution.

There are still some mail-in ballots to count, but so far 55 per cent have voted yes in the reproductive freedom referendum known as Proposal 3.&nbsp;

It was a different story in the traditionally conservative Upper Peninsula, where most counties voted no on Tuesday.

Chippewa County, which includes Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, voted 51 per cent against abortion rights.

Michigan voters will choose on Nov. 8 whether women have a right to choose

While there's little public discussion of abortion in northern Ontario, the debate is heading to the ballot box this fall next door in Michigan, in a referendum question known as Proposal 3 that would enshrine reproductive rights in the state constitution.

A man stands amongst other protesters in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan holding a sign that reads 'Keep your laws off my daughter.'

Dozens rallied in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan this summer in support of abortion rates after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade. 

Sault Michigan abortion rally 

Dozens rallied in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., this summer in support of abortion rates after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade. 

Abortion rights on the ballot in Michigan’s midterm elections

In Michigan, voters in the midterm elections will be deciding whether to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution. It's one of several states where abortion rights will literally be on the ballot. On both sides of the issue, voters say lives are at risk.

However, the numbers show that several hundred voters in the Sault who backed Republican candidates for governor and congress, voted yes on abortion.

The same is true in neighbouring Luce County, which voted 63 per cent for the Republican governor candidate and 58 per cent against the abortion proposal.&nbsp;

California and Vermont also voted Tuesday to enshrine reproductive rights put in jeopardy by the&nbsp;overturning of the landmark&nbsp;Roe v.&nbsp;Wade decision by the U.S. Supreme Court&nbsp;earlier this year.&nbsp;

A majority of Michigan voters have supported Proposal 3 and enshrined abortion rights in the state constitution, but most counties in northern Michigan voted no. 

Michigan votes to protect abortion rights, but most of the north says no

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