What’s at Stake for Abortion Rights? 

In order to protect reproductive rights long term, we need to ensure pro-reproductive rights majorities in both the State Senate and the House of Delegates. It is especially critical right now, without federal protections for abortion and with an anti-abortion governor, that the people of Virginia come together to make sure that reproductive health care—including abortion—remains legal and accessible in the Commonwealth.

Since the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, 18 states have banned some or all abortions. We have already seen the harmful impact of these bans, which force people seeking abortion to undertake costly, burdensome travel, delay necessary care, and, in some cases, put themselves in legal risk in order to get necessary care.

Even in states that have not enacted an outright ban on abortion, multiple restrictions like mandatory delay periods, biased counseling, and limitations on who can provide abortion services can make it virtually impossible for people to get the care they need, and we know that people with low incomes, those living in rural areas, and people of color suffer the most from these restrictions. We can’t let that happen in Virginia.

While we were relieved to see no new restrictions on reproductive health care get to our anti-abortion Governor’s desk during the 2023 legislative session, we know that this is a temporary victory. It now all comes down to this November’s election when all 140 legislative seats are on the ballot. 

If we want to protect reproductive freedom, not just temporarily, but for future generations, we must pass a constitutional amendment to enshrine our rights. Given a constitutional amendment must pass the General Assembly twice with an intervening election, victories in 2023 will allow us to start that process to get on the ballot as soon as 2026. If we do not secure majorities this year, that would delay the process at least two years, if not several years