Tennessee Voters Approve Dangerous Amendment 1

Women’s Health Advocates Pledge to Continue Fight for Tennessee Women

NASHVILLE, Tennessee — Tonight, Tennessee voters approved Amendment 1, a dangerous ballot measure that strips away the state’s established right to access safe and legal abortion. The constitutional change—a rare occurrence when government removes an established state right—allows legislators the authority to restrict access to women’s healthcare.

Vote No on One Tennessee, a statewide coalition led by Planned Parenthood — Middle and East Tennessee, Planned Parenthood — Greater Memphis Region, and ACLU Tennessee, led robust voter efforts efforts across the state. The campaign ensured that voters understood that the amendment was not just about abortion, but also Tennessean’s privacy rights and religious freedom, as well as stopping government interference.

“We trust women’s abilities to make their own decisions, we believe in privacy at times of crisis, and we love Tennessee,” said Ashley Coffield, President and CEO of Planned Parenthood — Greater Memphis Region. “We will not stand for restrictions that serve only to create barriers to service. That is simply not the answer.”

Women’s health advocates pledged to build on the statewide infrastructure built through the campaign and take the values and voices of Tennesseans to Capitol Hill. While advocates on both sides of the amendment disagreed on much, there was a consensus reached among voters that priority number one is safe and legal access to healthcare for women.

“The strong, statewide grassroots coalition we’ve built through this campaign will continue to amplify constituents’ voices to our elected officials,” said Hedy Weinberg, executive director of the ACLU of Tennessee. “Politicians need to know that extreme, medically irrelevant laws will be opposed by voters."