California voters voted overwhelmingly in favor of a state constitutional amendment that will protect the right to abortion without any gestational time limit and even up until the birth of the fetus. In the proposal, it highlights funding to help residents of other states where abortions have been banned.
Nearly 66% of voters voted in favor of Proposition 1, which expands the Golden State's current abortion law. California only prohibited abortions once the "viability" threshold had been exceeded, that is, when a physician determined that there was reason to believe that the fetus could survive outside the womb without extraordinary medical assistance.
"We are a true freedom state”
"We affirmed clearly, with conviction, that we are a true freedom state. That we embrace the rights of women and girls," said Gavin Newsom, governor of California.
The voter-backed measure adds language to the state constitution stating that "an individual's reproductive freedom," including the right to choose to have an abortion "shall not be denied or interfered with.” These rights are already guaranteed by state law. However, now that it is reflected in the Constitution, any action by legislators will be prevented.
The Golden State will now require health insurance companies to cover abortions.
Michigan and Vermont protect abortion rights
Voters in Michigan and Vermont also voted to protect abortion rights. Likewise, in Montana, preliminary results show the state will continue to defend abortions.
- In Michigan, the passage of Proposition 3 renders null and void a 1931 state law that prohibited abortion without exception, neither in the case of rape or incest.
- In Vermont, voters voted in favor of the Reproductive Freedom Amendment, that will include abortion rights in the constitution. As required by state law, the ballot measure had already been approved twice during this Democratic-controlled legislature and has now been backed by voters.
- In Kentucky, unlike Michigan, California and Vermont, what was being voted on was a measure to amend the state constitution to explicitly state that the state neither protects nor recognizes the right to abortion. In other words, citizens had to choose the no endorsement option. This proposal was rejected. In any case, the current laws of this state only allow abortion in rare exceptions if the mother's health is at serious risk.
- In Montana, voters were asked about the so-called born alive law, a rule that would have considered any baby born alive at any time during gestation to be a legal person. The rule would have criminalized healthcare professionals and they could be fined up to $50,000 and face prison sentences of up to 20 years. Although they are still counting votes, the projections indicate that the measure, in this case, will also be rejected.
