Prop 1 has been put onto the November Ballot to strengthen
and reinforce the right to abortion in California.
By voting no, you can stand for life.
If passed, Prop 1 will enshrine an individual’s right to an abortion into
our State Constitution, potentially without limitations.
Text for Prop 1:
SEC. 1.1. The state shall not deny or interfere with an individual’s reproductive freedom in their most intimate decisions, which includes their fundamental right to choose to have an abortion and their fundamental right to choose or refuse contraceptives. This section is intended to further the constitutional right to privacy guaranteed by Section 1, and the constitutional right to not be denied equal protection guaranteed by Section 7. Nothing herein narrows or limits the right to privacy or equal protection.
CA Prop 1
Is a part of Governor Newsom’s and the California State Legislature’s plans to strengthen and protect abortion rights in California.
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“More than ever, we need voters to turn out and say yes on Prop 1 to set an example for the rest of the country that abortion is a fundamental right and should be protected as such in our Constitution.” – State Senate President pro tem Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), co-chair of the Yes on Prop1 campaign
Furthers the Governor and Legislature’s plans to expand abortion in our State.
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“I’m very proud today. I’ll be signing over a dozen pieces of legislation that should make it to my desk in a matter of weeks that will codify our values and will advance our values. Yes, this November we will be advancing a Constitutional Amendment [Prop 1] codifying what we’ve done in statute and giving something for people to be for, proactively, on the ballot as relates to the constitutional right to privacy. The constitutional right that was firmly established up until a few hours ago in this country, but we will assert that formally and foundationally here in the State of California.” – Governor Newsom’s remarks following the announcement that Roe v. Wade was overturned at the Supreme Court (go to 38:35 to see the quote above)
Reasons for even pro-choice voters to vote No on Prop 1
Wording is vague and open to interpretation, leaving room for court challenges to current abortion law (which attempt to limit abortions until viability – 6 months into pregnancy and beyond).
According to a June 2022 Harris poll, 72% of American voters (including 75& of women) would limit abortions after 15 weeks.
“The constitutional amendment’s author, state Senate leader Toni Atkins (D-San Diego), flatly denies that it changes current law regarding viability. “The false narrative about ‘abortions up until birth’ are unscientific and created to politicize the conversation about abortion,” she said in a statement after the Legislature passed the measure mostly along party lines — Democrats for and Republicans against. But during floor debates in both houses, queries about late-term abortions resulted in fuzzy replies. …I called two law professors who specialize in abortion regulations, and both said that Proposition 1’s language isn’t the end of the story. There’s more than meets the eye. Constitutional amendments — whether federal or state — are subject to court interpretation, guided by legislative intent and precedent, they said. – George Skelton, Sacramento Capitol Journal Columnist
Update on Governor Newsom's plan to make California a ‘sanctuary state’ for abortion
Tuesday, Sept 27th as the legislative season comes to a close, Governor Newsom signed 13 bills into law as a part of his plan to make California a sanctuary state.
The package signed today includes:
- PROTECTIONS FROM CRIMINAL & CIVIL LIABILITIES: AB 2223 by Assemblymember Buffy Wicks (D-Oakland) helps to ensure that pregnancy loss is not criminalized, prohibiting a person from being criminally or civilly liable for miscarriage, stillbirth, abortion, or perinatal death due to causes that occurred in utero.
- KEEPS MEDICAL RECORDS PRIVATE: AB 2091 by Assemblymember Mia Bonta (D-Oakland) prohibits a health care provider from releasing medical information on an individual seeking abortion care in response to a subpoena or request from out-of-state.
- PROHIBITS COOPERATION WITH OUT-OF-STATE ENTITIES: AB 1242 by Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Kahan (D-Orinda) prohibits law enforcement and California corporations from cooperating with out-of-state entities regarding a lawful abortion in California. It also prohibits law enforcement from knowingly arresting a person for aiding in a lawful abortion in California.
- EXPANDS BIRTH CONTROL ACCESS: SB 523 by Senator Connie Leyva (D-Chino) expands birth control access – regardless of gender or insurance coverage status – by requiring health plans to cover certain over-the-counter birth control without cost sharing. It also prohibits employment-related discrimination based on reproductive health decisions.
- MORE HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS: SB 1375 by Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) expands training options for Nurse Practitioners and Certified Nurse-Midwives for purposes of performing abortion care by aspiration techniques.
- AB 657 by Assemblymember Jim Cooper (D-Elk Grove): Expedites licensure for health care practitioners that come to California to provide abortion care services.
- AB 2626 by Assemblymember Lisa Calderon (D-Whittier): Prohibits specified licensing boards from suspending or revoking a license solely for performing an abortion in accordance with the licensee’s practice act.
- AB 2205 by Assemblymember Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles): Requires Covered California plans to report annually the total amounts of funds collected in special accounts for abortion care which was established under the ACA to hold premium payment of $1 per member per month and from which claims for abortion care must be paid.
- SB 1142 by Senator Anna Caballero (D-Merced) and Senator Nancy Skinner (D-Berkeley): Requires the establishment of an abortion care services website and an evaluation of the Abortion Practical Support Fund.
- SB 1245 by Senator Sydney Kamlager (D-Los Angeles): Establishes a reproductive health pilot project in LA County to support innovative approaches and collaborations to safeguard abortion access.
- AB 1918 by Assemblymember Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach): Creates the CA Reproductive Health Scholarship Corps to recruit, train and retain a diverse workforce of health care professionals who will provide reproductive health services in underserved areas of the state.
- AB 2134 by Assemblymember Dr. Akilah Weber (D-San Diego): Establishes the CA Reproductive Health Equity Program which will provide grants to providers who provide uncompensated care to patients with low-incomes and those who face other financial barriers.
- AB 2586 by Assemblymember Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens): Establishes the CA Reproductive Justice and Freedom Fund to support CBOs in providing comprehensive reproductive/sexual health education, inclusive of abortion care, to disproportionately impacted communities.
- The Governor previously signed SB 245 to eliminate cost-sharing for abortion services and AB 1666, which seeks to protect those in California from civil liability for providing, aiding, or receiving abortion care in the state.
- The Governor previously signed SB 245 to eliminate cost-sharing for abortion services and AB 1666, which seeks to protect those in California from civil liability for providing, aiding, or receiving abortion care in the state.
Did you know that Governor Newsom is actively working to make California a ‘sanctuary state’ for abortion?
Anticipating that the Supreme Court may overturn Roe v. Wade, Gavin Newsom requested policy recommendations to protect abortion rights and offer greater access to abortion. Seeing that other states were passing legislation that severely limit and/or ban abortion entirely, Governor Newsom convened the California Future of Abortion Council. Their goal is to “determine potential challenges in the state and recommend solutions that will continue to provide access and stability for both Californians and those who may come from out of state specifically to obtain an abortion.” They have given a comprehensive road map suggesting over 45 “recommendations policymakers can implement to better prepare California as the threat to abortion rights and access continues to grow.”
Their recommendations have wide-ranging impact from budgetary policy to legislative bills. See their checklist and check their progress as they seek to make California a “sanctuary state” for those seeking an abortion.