Californians Approve Constitutional Amendment Protecting Right to Abortion

11.08.2022 – (PRESS STATEMENT) California voters tonight approved Proposition 1, which adds language to the state constitution expressly ensuring the right to abortion. While the California constitution already protects the right to privacy, the constitution will now include specific language protecting reproductive rights. The ballot measure was put forth in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in June overturning Roe v. Wade

Statement from Nancy Northup, President and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights:

“Californians turned out in full force tonight to restore the right the Supreme Court took away from them. The largest state in the nation has made it resoundingly clear that abortion access is a fundamental right. As we are seeing in state after state tonight, when people are given the chance to vote directly on the issue of abortion, they overwhelmingly want that right protected. This is not a partisan issue.”

Earlier tonight, voters in Michigan and Vermont also voted to protect the right to abortion in their constitutions. Voters in Kentucky and Montana are also voting on abortion-related ballot initiatives tonight, which have not been called yet. The Center for Reproductive Rights’ interactive map shows the status of abortion access in each state.

About Proposition 1: The following language will be added to the California constitution: “The state shall not deny or interfere with an individual’s reproductive freedom in their most intimate decisions, which includes their fundamental right to choose to have an abortion and their fundamental right to choose or refuse contraceptives. This section is intended to further the constitutional right to privacy guaranteed by Section 1, and the constitutional right to not be denied equal protection guaranteed by Section 7. Nothing herein narrows or limits the right to privacy or equal protection.” 

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