The pro-life movement suffered a setback on election night, as a blue Democratic wave led to both pro-abortion ballot measures passing and seats flipping to pro-abortion candidates. Still, there are a few glimmers of hope as pro-lifers consider how to move forward.

First, the bad. Pro-abortion Democrat James Talarico pulled off an upset defeat of Republican Ken Paxton to flip Texas’ U.S. Senate seat. Talarico believes killing innocent preborn babies is aligned with Christian views, as Human Life Review previously reported.

Missouri voters failed to repeal a pro-abortion amendment passed in 2024, meaning the state’s permissive abortion laws will remain in place. Likewise, 63% of Nevada voters supported amending the state’s constitution even though its already liberal law allows for abortion through the first 24 weeks of pregnancy.

The amendment ostensibly allows for regulating abortion, but it offers a broad exception. The fact that Nevada law already allows for killing preborn babies through the second trimester should’ve caused voters to wonder why they needed this expansive amendment.

Now, the positive developments. Idaho voted to reject a pro-abortion measure that would undo strong protections. This proves life can still win in a Republican state, after notable setbacks in Ohio and Missouri in recent years.

While Virginia looks like a loss, with voters passing an amendment establishing a so-called “right to reproductive freedom,” a legal issue may complicate the matter.

That is because ballot language must be clear and explain what an amendment will do. Drafters relied on vague language that focused first on protecting childbirth and fertility decisions, while only mentioning abortion at the end.

But this trickery may lead to a block on the amendment, as the Founding Freedoms Law Center has already filed suit to stop it. The lawsuit called the amendment “materially misleading.”

Tuesday night left the pro-life movement with only a few things to celebrate. But it should also remind us all of the need to pray and band together to win hearts and minds in the fight for preborn life.