Florida Abortion Amendment Vote: What You Need to Know

What is the Florida Abortion Amendment?

The Florida Abortion Amendment is a proposed amendment to the Florida Constitution that would add language to the constitution stating that "only a natural person" has the right to life and that a fetus is not a person.

The amendment would overturn the Florida Supreme Court's 1989 ruling in In re T.T., which found that the state constitution protects a woman's right to an abortion. If passed, the amendment would make it more difficult to obtain an abortion in Florida.

Who is Supporting the Amendment?

The amendment is being supported by anti-abortion groups, including the Florida Catholic Conference and the Florida Family Policy Council. The groups argue that the amendment is necessary to protect the lives of unborn children.

Who is Opposing the Amendment?

The amendment is being opposed by abortion rights groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Planned Parenthood. The groups argue that the amendment would restrict women's access to abortion and put their health at risk.

What is the Current Status of the Amendment?

The amendment is currently in the signature-gathering phase. Supporters of the amendment need to collect 891,589 valid signatures by February 1, 2023, in order to get the amendment on the ballot in the November 2024 election.

What is the Likely Outcome of the Vote?

The outcome of the vote is uncertain. A recent poll found that 52% of Florida voters support the amendment, while 44% oppose it.

However, the poll also found that 62% of Florida voters believe that abortion should be legal in all or most cases. This suggests that the amendment may not pass, even if it does make it on the ballot.

What are the Implications of the Amendment?

If passed, the amendment would have a significant impact on abortion access in Florida. The amendment would make it more difficult to obtain an abortion, and could lead to the closure of abortion clinics in the state.

The amendment could also have a ripple effect on other states. If Florida passes the amendment, it could embolden anti-abortion groups in other states to push for similar amendments in their states.