Post-Dobbs, we have seen increasing attacks on not only abortion care but on comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care at local, state, and federal levels.
With federal protections for abortion gone, and increasing attacks on comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care, it is crucial that Mainers’ reproductive liberties are explicitly protected. Right now, while we have good laws in place in Maine, the protections granted by those laws are subject to the whims of politicians and are not guaranteed election to election.
LD 780, the proposed constitutional amendment to protect reproductive autonomy, is not completely through the legislative process yet, but it has effectively been killed after it failed to garner the necessary 2/3 majority vote to pass in the House.
We are disappointed that Mainers won't be able to vote on this issue at the polls in November, and we intend to hold our elected leaders accountable for their votes and for denying us the opportunity to directly weigh in at the ballot box. Stay tuned for more information on how you can do that, too!
Two dozen local organizations signed-on to a letter in support of LD 780. Read it here!
LD 780 In The News
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Safe abortion care is a necessity – Dr. Julia Mcdonald, Augusta, Maine
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Maine Attorney General: Proposed reproductive rights amendment would protect access to IVF
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Reproductive freedom is not just a women’s issue – Jane Honeck, Robbinston, Maine
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Lawmakers should let Mainers decide on reproductive rights, Sarah Strickland, Robbinston, Maine
LD 780 In The News
FAQ: What is a constitutional amendment?
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A constitutional amendment is a formal change to the constitution. Regarding state constitutions, each state has its own set of rules, usually determined by the elected state legislators, for how its constitution can be amended.
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Constitutional amendments provide stronger protection of rights and liberties than statewide laws because they are usually much more difficult to change than laws. Laws can be changed by state legislatures, and the makeup of those legislatures can change with every election. In contrast, the process for amending the state constitution in Maine has two steps: Approval by the state legislature followed by voter approval in an election.
Why now?
A resolution to amend the Maine state constitution to protect personal reproductive autonomy would explicitly enshrine the right to personal reproductive autonomy in the Maine state constitution, leaving no doubt that Maine values reproductive autonomy, and reproductive autonomy is a fundamental right.
What is the process to amend the Maine state constitution?
Learn more below!
Amendment Introduced
Any state lawmaker can submit a resolution proposing to amend Maine’s constitution. Once a resolution is formally introduced, it is assigned to an appropriate committee in the legislature.
Public Hearing
The committee can hold a public hearing on the resolution, which is an opportunity for members of the public to testify before lawmakers about a proposed bill. After the public hearing, the committee can vote to recommend the full legislature pass or not pass the proposal.
House and Senate Voting
Then, each body of the legislature – the House of Representatives and the Senate – holds their own votes on the resolution.
Approval
In Maine, a proposed constitutional amendment must be approved by a two-thirds majority in both legislative chambers in order for it to move forward. If two-thirds of lawmakers in both chambers vote for a proposal, the resolution is then put to voters in the next general election. A simple majority of voters must approve the proposed amendment for it to take effect. Constitutional amendments in Maine do not need to be approved by the Governor.
Wear your support for abortion rights!
PPMEAF has partnered with Little Chair Printing and designer Christina Puopolo for a sweatshirt collaboration fundraiser. Your purchase will benefit PPMEAF and help keep the fight for abortion rights going.
