With the State of Florida voting on Amendment 4 – enshrining the right to have abortions in the state constitution – Floridians can look to the results of other states that have similar laws to Sunshine State’s six-week ban on the procedure. Texas has the same six-week ban that was triggered following the reversal of Roe v. Wade. Since the Human Life Protection Act – which allows abortions due to medically necessary reasons such as the life of the mother being at stake – was implemented in the Lone Star State, there have been zero elective abortions.
The source of this data comes from Texas Health and Human Services. It can be seen below:
Elective abortions in Texas drop to 0 thanks to its abortion ban. pic.twitter.com/W5tyz0CR0a
— LifeNews.com (@LifeNewsHQ) September 4, 2024
Since the reversal of Roe (between the two-month period before the implementation of the Human Life Protection Act), there were 67 elective abortions performed and only four performed in Texas due to medically necessary exceptions.
From the implementation of the law, there have been 109 medically necessary abortions performed and once again, zero elective abortions.
In Florida, support for the amendment could be dwindling. The amendment has received the backing of Florida Democrats, and though it seemed like a sure thing given the support it had, its trajectory has taken a turn. A new poll indicates that support for Amendment 4 continues to plummet, and it might not receive the 60% necessary to pass on November 5th.
A new poll conducted by NextGen Polling and Life First PC, taken between August 23rd and 26th, polled 1,664 likely voters. From those polled, 54.3% support the initiative, 25.8% oppose it, and 19.9% were undecided.
After "message testing," the poll uncovered that the amendment only has 47.5% of support.
Critics of the bill have highlighted that the amendment is "deceptive," noting that it could allow abortion to be provided "beyond those licensed to perform" the abortion, "potentially compromising the safety and well-being of women."
The abortion amendment in Florida states:
“No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider. This amendment does not change the Legislature’s constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion.”
Floridians will need a 60% vote to pass this amendment into the state constitution. They will have an opportunity to vote on the measure on Nov. 5.
