As Abortion Bans Spread, These States Are Protecting Our Rights
By Miriam Berg | Aug. 9, 2022, 6 a.m.
Category: Abortion
When the Supreme Court decided to overturn Roe v. Wade and take away our federal constitutional right to abortion, it created a national health crisis. But some state lawmakers are actually working to increase and protect abortion access.
Fourteen states have abortion bans. That means hundreds of thousands of people can’t access abortion in their communities, including a 10-year-old Ohio girl whose sexual assault resulted in a pregnancy. She was forced to travel from Ohio to Indiana to get an abortion.
And more abortion bans are on the horizon.
But that’s not the end of the story. Fortunately, intrepid advocates and lawmakers are moving to protect abortion rights. Let’s celebrate these wins.
Which States Are Protecting Abortion Rights?
Abortion rights supporters are fighting FOR abortion access through ballot initiatives, constitutional amendments, and more.
New Laws and Coalitions
- Governors in California, Connecticut, and New Jersey signed sweeping laws that protect abortion rights. These laws include protections for out-of-state abortion seekers.
- California, Oregon, and Washington have committed to serve together as “a safe haven” for people seeking abortions. The pledge includes rejecting requests from out-of-state law enforcement to act against abortion patients and providers.
Executive Orders
- Governors have signed executive orders in Colorado, Maine, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, and Rhode Island that protect people who travel to their state for abortion care.
- That means officials in these states won’t help out-of-state politicians, police, activists, and others in investigating patients who come to their state for an abortion.
Ballot Measures
- Michigan abortion rights activists submitted more than 750,000 signatures to election officials for a November ballot measure to protect abortion access. If included on the ballot, the measure would ask Michiganders to vote on a proposed constitutional amendment to undo a 90-year-old law that makes abortion a felony.
- Voters in California and Vermont will consider ballot measures to enshrine the right to abortion in their state constitutions. New York has also moved toward making abortion a state constitutional right.
Take Action:
Talk to Your Member of Congress This Recess
The overwhelming majority of Americans disapprove of the Supreme Court’s decision. Many are ready to vote for abortion-rights champions in November’s midterm elections and to speak with their lawmakers about this necessary health care. Are you one of them? If so, you’re in luck: Congress on recess in August, when many members of Congress head to their home states. This is your chance to tell them what you think about abortion rights.
Read our guide on how to get your voice heard — in person.
Tags: "supreme court, "dobbs v. jackson women's health organization
