Florida Supreme Court approves amendment language leaving the issue to voters for the upcoming 2024 elections and allows a six-week ban on abortion to take effect
Tallahassee, Florida – Today, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that Florida’s proposed amendment to limit government interference with abortion meets the requirements for placement on the November 2024 ballot.
The decision comes as the Court reverses long-standing abortion protections and enables a near-total abortion ban to go into effect next month. For the past several years, politicians have sought to impose extremist measures that burden access to abortion care in the state. These assaults have led to multiple tragedies as patients are unable to receive needed care after the arbitrary deadline.
The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Florida, the national ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and others filed a lawsuit against the previous 15-week ban which the Court has upheld, prompting the six-week ban to take effect next month.
By approving this amendment for the 2024 ballot, the Florida Supreme Court has supported Floridians’ constitutional right to vote for limiting government interference with abortion.
Sara Latshaw, deputy political director of the ACLU of Florida, responded to the ruling with the following:
“Today's ruling is a triumph for democracy in Florida, affirming the power of our ballot initiative process to safeguard our rights when politicians falter. In the face of a six-week abortion ban, Floridians now have the chance to assert their will at the ballot box, shaping a Florida that is free from government interference in abortion.”
Kara Gross, legislative director and senior policy counsel of the ACLU of Florida, responded to the ruling with the following:
“The vast majority of Floridians – Republicans and Democrats alike – do not want the government interfering in our personal medical decisions. Amendment 4 will ensure that personal medical decisions will be between pregnant patients and their health care providers, and not politicians. Now that Amendment 4 has been approved, Floridians can vote for the freedom to control their bodies, lives, and futures in November.”
Michelle Morton, policy counsel of the ACLU of Florida, responded to the ruling with the following:
“Despite opponents' blatant political efforts to block Floridians from voting on this amendment, the Court recognized Floridians have the ability - and the right - to decide for themselves whether they want politicians to continue interfering with abortion access.”
In response to the ruling, Floridians from across the state are gathering to rally against the current 6-week abortion ban and to support the official launch of the amendment’s campaign on April 13. To learn more about the event, click here.
