Florida on Tuesday became the first state to reject an abortion rights amendment since Roe v. Wade was overturned, but backers of the measure decried that a minority of voters was able to prevail.

A majority of Florida voters supported Amendment 4 — nearly 58 percent — but it needed 60 percent to pass.

“The reality is, because of Florida’s constitution, a minority of Florida voters have decided that Amendment 4 will not be adopted,” Lauren Brenzel, campaign director for Yes on 4, told supporters Tuesday. “A majority of Floridians, in what is the most conservative presidential election in Florida’s history, voted to end Florida’s abortion ban."

The amendment would have enshrined protections for abortion up to the point of fetal viability, or about 24 weeks, into the state constitution, preventing the state from passing laws to “prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion” until that point.

The amendment’s backers said it was clear that Floridians support abortion rights.

Laura Goodhue, executive director of the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates,........

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