Virginia Voters Approve Constitutional Abortion Rights Amendment
The amendment passed with about 61% of the vote, making reproductive freedom a constitutional right in Virginia. It covers decisions involving abortion, contraception, fertility care, pregnancy and childbirth, and protects patients and health care workers from legal action over those decisions.
The measure permits abortion during the first two trimesters and allows government regulation in the third. Under existing state law, abortions after 28 weeks require approval from two consulting physicians, who must find that continuing the pregnancy threatens the pregnant woman’s life or would substantially and irredeemably harm her mental or physical health. The amendment instead refers to a physician’s professional judgment and allows third-trimester abortions to protect a pregnant person’s life or physical or mental health.
Supporters of the amendment said it would protect reproductive decision-making. Opponents argued its broad language could weaken safeguards and make later abortions easier to obtain. Virginia’s Catholic dioceses campaigned against the measure, with Bishop Barry C. Knestout urging voters to reject it; the amendment passed despite that effort.
A court hearing is scheduled for November 13 on a request to block certification of the referendum results. Opponents have also argued that the measure could prompt legal challenges to abortion-related safety rules. The amendment’s passage follows the 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision overturning the nationwide constitutional right to abortion, which left states to set their own policies.
Virginia Voters Put Reproductive Freedom in the State Constitution
Virginia voters have made reproductive freedom a constitutional right, approving Amendment 1 by about 61% on November 3. The measure protects decisions involving abortion, contraception, fertility care, pregnancy and childbirth, while shielding patients and health care workers from legal action over those choices.
It preserves access to abortion in the first two trimesters and allows third-trimester regulations with exceptions to protect a pregnant person’s life or health. The amendment’s reference to a physician’s professional judgment replaces the existing requirement for two consulting physicians to approve an abortion after 28 weeks under specified conditions.
Opponents warned that the amendment could undermine safety rules and make later abortions easier. Virginia’s Catholic dioceses mounted a campaign against it, and Bishop Barry C. Knestout urged voters to reject the measure. Voters nonetheless chose constitutional protection for reproductive decisions.
The result comes after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the nationwide constitutional right to abortion in 2022, leaving state voters and lawmakers to shape policy. Opponents are seeking a court order barring formal certification of the Virginia results, with a hearing set for November 13.
Virginia Amendment Opens Door to Broader Third-Trimester Abortions
Virginia voters approved Amendment 1 by about 61%, putting a broad reproductive-freedom provision into the state constitution. The change replaces the current requirement for two consulting physicians to approve abortions after 28 weeks with language relying on a physician’s professional judgment and allowing third-trimester abortions to protect a pregnant person’s life or health.
The measure also covers contraception, fertility care, pregnancy and childbirth, and protects patients and health care workers from legal action over those decisions. Supporters describe it as protection for reproductive choices. Opponents argue the health exception and broad wording could make later abortions easier and invite challenges to abortion-related safety rules.
Virginia’s Catholic dioceses campaigned against the amendment. Bishop Barry C. Knestout urged voters to reject it, warning of what he characterized as harm to vulnerable people. The measure passed despite that effort.
The constitutional change follows the 2022 Supreme Court decision overturning the nationwide right to abortion. Opponents are pursuing a court challenge and have requested a preliminary injunction against certification; a hearing is scheduled for November 13.
Reported by The Washington Examiner, The Daily Caller, PBS NewsHour, PJ Media, Breitbart.
