A state constitutional amendment that would protect abortion access in Florida has received enough signatures of support to appear on ballots in the November election, but a challenge by the state’s attorney general could still block it.

The measure would ban laws that “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.” Abortions are currently illegal after 15 weeks in Florida.

The measure had received 911,086 signatures as of midday Friday, nearly 20,000 more than the number required to go before voters, according to the state elections division.

Florida is among several states where reproductive rights groups have been gathering signatures to place similar referendums on the ballot in November, when the presidential contest will headline national elections.

Constitutional amendments in Florida must pass with at least 60% of the vote, a greater portion than any statewide abortion measure has yet won.

  • Rapidcreek@lemmy.world
    233·
    6 months ago

    The kicker is any ballot initiative in Florida needs 60% to pass. It’s tyranny of the minority, but in a twisted way that works in Democrats favor this year.

    There’s no doubt in my mind they’ll be a spillover from this to the presidential and senate races, where a simple majority or plurality wins the day. I can see a situation where abortion passes due to a huge push by Democrats and both Trump and Scott get swept out of the state in the 60%.

    At least that’s the plan.