Vermont last night rang a bell of hope for many across the country, becoming the first state to enshrine abortion rights in the constitution.

“Yes,” votes outnumber “no” votes by a staggering majority of nearly 70% to 20%.

It wasn’t a surprise – polls showed that the measure was likely to pass ahead of the election, but it was nonetheless a victory for abortion rights activists.

Vermont for Reproductive Liberty Ballot Committee said of the victory, “Vermont voters made history tonight. Vermonters support reproductive freedom in all four corners of the state and believe that our reproductive decisions are ours to make without interference from politicians.”

The measure will now be enshrined in the state constitution as a 22nd article reading, “That an individual’s right to personal reproductive autonomy is central to the liberty and dignity to determine one’s life course and shall not be denied or infringed unless justified by a compelling State interest achieved by the least restrictive means.”