Some Florida groups advocating for abortion rights are concerned that a ballot measure to affirm abortion rights in the state’s constitution and overturn the recently implemented six-week abortion ban may not pass in November without additional funding to raise awareness and mobilize voters. The ban on abortion after six weeks of gestation, which was recently put into effect, has left many women and health providers in a difficult situation. Florida was previously one of the last states in the region where abortion was still largely accessible, but now many are struggling to adapt to the restrictions.
The proposed amendment would invalidate the six-week ban by prohibiting restrictions on abortion before fetal viability, typically around the 24th week of pregnancy. It would also allow for exceptions past viability based on the patient’s health, as determined by a healthcare provider. Activists are concerned about the high threshold of 60% approval required for amendments to pass in Florida, as other swing states have seen lower levels of support for abortion rights at the ballot. The state’s larger population size also means that more resources and volunteers are needed to educate voters and encourage voter turnout.
Progressive organizations like Mi Vecino and Florida Rising have been working to educate voters about the ballot measure and advocate for its passage. Mi Vecino, which focuses on Latino voters but has expanded its outreach efforts to include all voter groups in the state, has already reached out to thousands of voters through door-to-door canvassing and phone calls. While they have encountered support for the initiative, there are still many undecided voters who need to be persuaded.
In areas like Hialeah, a working-class city in Miami Dade County that Trump won in 2020, canvassers have engaged with voters from various backgrounds about Amendment 4. While some residents express strong opposition to abortion based on religious beliefs, others support the measure as a matter of bodily autonomy and healthcare. Democrats are hoping that the issue of abortion will help galvanize moderate voters, particularly women, to turn out in November. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have both spoken out against the six-week abortion ban in Florida, framing it as an attack on women’s rights.
Despite the challenges of reaching a 60% approval threshold, advocates believe that Floridians understand the importance of policy decisions outside of political affiliations. The success of other ballot measures, such as the 2020 initiative to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour, give hope to those supporting Amendment 4. By emphasizing that abortion access is a healthcare issue, rather than a partisan one, advocates hope to garner support across all voter groups in the state. With some voters still undecided or opposed to the measure, continued education and outreach efforts will be crucial in the coming months leading up to the November election.
