Abortion On the Ballot in 2023
By Audrey Cabanel
October 30, 2023
This is not a drill! Abortion is on the ballot in November and here are all the facts you need to know.
Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in June of 2022, reproductive rights and safe abortion access have been under attack. We want to make you have all the information you need to be able to make your own decisions—knowledge is power. It’s easy to pay attention ahead of big national elections, but it can be a little more difficult to focus on small local races. The reality is, who you vote for in state and local elections can often have a larger impact on your direct access to reproductive care, including abortion, than national elections. Here’s a breakdown of the upcoming ballots you should be paying attention to.
What’s happening
Ohio
The Right to Make Reproductive Decisions Including Abortion Initiative
The biggest vote regarding reproductive rights happening in November 2023 is one on the Ohio ballot. The amendment proposes that in Ohio, you should and would have the right to make your own reproductive decisions. A YES vote, supports the right to “make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions about abortion, contraception, fertility treatment, continuing pregnancy and miscarriage care.” This also means it would be part of the state constitution and access to abortion would be protected in Ohio. Voting NO would oppose the reproductive rights amendment and restrict access to safe abortions. This ballot is the difference between access to abortion or not in Ohio, and is highly important. Make your voice heard!
Pennsylvania
New Supreme Court Justice
Although abortion is not directly on the ballot in Pennsylvania, who you vote for can be the difference between keeping abortion legal in a state or not. On the 7th of November, there will be a vote for Pennsylvanians to choose their next Supreme Court justice. The two candidates have made their stances on abortion clear. Republican candidate Carolyn Tornetta Carluccio has run on an anti-abortion platform in the past and has voted against abortion amendments supported by Planned Parenthood. Democratic candidate Daniel McCaffery is endorsed by Planned Parenthood and has been open about his personal views supporting abortion rights.
Virginia
Full Party Control
All 140 seats in the Virginia General Assembly will be on the ballot in November, for the first time since 2019. Virginia is currently the last southern state without an abortion ban and allows for 1st and 2nd trimester abortions. If Republicans win and take the majority of the general assembly, there is a high chance that a 15-week abortion ban proposed by Republican Governer Glenn Youngkin will be placed, restricting access to safe and legal abortion, and taking away your right to choose.
It’s tempting to want to escape the neverending political news cycle, but it’s more important than ever to stay informed and make your voice heard. Voting is one way you can take action to protect access to safe abortions and reproductive healthcare. We want to give you the information you need to stay knowledgeable about your rights.
