• Florida has 6 amendments on the ballot this election cycle. One of them is Amendment 3.
• This would increase Florida’s abortion ban from 6 weeks to viability, or about 24 weeks or when a “health care provider” deems it necessary for the safety of the mother.
• Watch the video to learn what the amendment should enact and what changes we would see locally.

BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:

The level of access to abortion in Florida is at stake with this year’s election.

Voting yes or no on Amendment 4 will affect how long women can wait before deciding to have an abortion in Florida.

If you want to have a say on reproductive rights in Florida, this is Amendment 4 you should check out on the ballot.

If passed, the measure would extend the time Florida women have to obtain an abortion – increasing it from 6 weeks until viability, approximately 24 weeks, or when a health care provider declares it is necessary for protect the patient’s life.

“Should the right of the fetus to develop and be born take precedence over a woman’s right to make decisions about her own body,” said Professor Aubrey Jewett of the University of Central Florida, suggesting that it is the question voters will be asking when they vote on Amendment 4.

It’s this controversial decision that could push people to the polls, said Sharon Austin, a political science professor at the University of Florida.

“I think that’s one that’s really going to spark greater turnout because in some sense people will probably want to vote because they want to vote up or down,” Austin said.

Austin said the debate on this issue is important.

“Some people see it as more of a moral issue, others see it as a reproductive rights issue,” Austin said.

Florida has what is considered one of the most restrictive abortion laws.

In July 2022, Florida passed a bill banning abortion after 15 weeks.

In April 2023, Governor Ron DeSantis signed the Heartbeat Protection Act, making abortion illegal after 6 weeks except in cases of rape, incest, and to save the life of the mother. This law came into force in May this year.

Under current state law, doctors can face penalties if they perform an abortion after 6 weeks.

The Heartbeat Protection Act states in part: “A doctor who performs a prohibited abortion is subject to criminal penalties: a fine of up to five years in prison, or both.” »

Amendment 4 requires 60% of voters to say yes to this amendment to incorporate it into the constitution.