On Tuesday November 5th, the people of Maryland voted yes to protect Abortion and Reproductive rights, enshrining it in the State Constitution.
Question 1 on the Maryland ballot stated, “The proposed amendment confirms an individual’s fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including but not limited to the ability to make and effectuate decisions to prevent, continue, or end the individual’s pregnancy, and provide the State may not, directly or indirectly, deny, burden, or abridge the right unless justified by a compelling State interest achieved by the least restrictive means.”
Those who voted “yes,” on this question, would support adding this amendment to the Maryland Constitution’s Declaration of Rights, which establishes the right to reproductive freedom. A vote for “no,” would be the individuals who are opposed to adding this amendment.
In order for this question to actually be on the ballot, there must be a supermajority (60%) from both the Maryland State Senate, and Maryland House of Representatives. It is safe to say that the supermajority was reached with the state Senate passing it in favor, with a vote of 32-15, and the state house in a vote of 98-38.
Question 1 showing up on the ballot did not come without controversy and opposition. One opposing group, Health Not Harm Maryland, sent mass text messages to Maryland voters with untrue and upsetting claims.
These texts claimed that a “yes” vote would allow minors to obtain gender-transition surgeries without parental consent.
Deborah Brocoto, the chair of the group responsible for the texts, told WBAL-TV, “If you vote yes, we are giving children the same capacity as adults to make life-altering permanent changes to their bodies without parental guidance, parental consent, or parental knowledge.”
She continues to claim that because there are no specifications of age limits in the amendment, or in Maryland law, the amendment is therefore, “intended to apply to children.”
However, Maryland law actually does state that the patient must be at least 18 years old before these services can be provided. This amendment just enshrines abortion rights in the Declaration of Rights in the Maryland Constitution.
Many democratic leaders supported this amendment, including Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and Lieutenant Governor, Aruna Miller.
Maryland’s Question 1 was passed with a 75.15% majority, totaling 1,975,744 votes for “yes,” and 653,425 votes for “no.” This comes at the same time that the country chose one of its most Anti-Abortion candidates to be President Elect
After passing, Gov. Moore released a statement regarding the passing of the amendment, “We’ve been clear since Day One of the Moore-Miller Administration that Maryland will lead the fight to protect reproductive freedom. And this week, the people of Maryland raised their hands to guide this work, voting overwhelmingly to enshrine reproductive freedom into our state constitution. The people have spoken, and their will must be honored”
The passing of this amendment will solidify Maryland as a sanctuary state for abortion and reproductive rights, and is a major win for pro-choice advocates.
Arpa Shahnazarian is a junior mathematics and economics double major, and the content-managing editor of The Retriever.
Contact Arpa at arpas1@umbc.edu
