Florida defeats abortion ballot measure to keep six-week ban in place

An amendment to protect abortion rights in Florida and end the states six week abortion ban failed to pass meaning the states ban will remain in place. 

Voters headed to the polls on Tuesday to vote on the ballot measure known as Amendment 4 in a state that has one of the strictest abortion bans in the country.

The measure was put on the ballot after it received enough signatures to go before voters, but it faced strong opposition from state Republican leaders. 

A ballot measure in the state needs to reach a 60 percent threshold to pass. 

While the majority of voters in Florida voted for the amendment and protecting abortion access, it did not meet the necessary 60 percent threshold.

It comes after the Republican-controlled state legislature passed a six-week abortion ban last year after first passed a 15 week ban on abortion in 2022. Both were signed into law by GOP Governor Ron DeSantis. 

Yes on 4 campaign material to end Floridas six week abortion ban with an amendment to the states constitution. The amendment failed to reach the 60 percent threshold to pass

The amendment would have added language to the Florida Constitution stating no law shall 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. 

It still would have preserved language that allows a law requiring parents to be notified before a minor can get an abortion. 

Supporters said the amendment will return health care decisions to women and their doctors, but critics claimed the language was too vague. 

Most women do not know they are pregnant at six weeks, meaning by the time they realize it, their hands are tied. 

Leading up to Election Day, DeSantis and state Republicans used taxpayer dollars to oppose the amendment. The Department of Health ran a campaign against it.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis speaking against Amendment 4 on October 21

Trump earlier this year said he would vote against Amendment 4 after some initial confusion despite claiming he does not agree with the states six week ban. 

The reality is because of Florida ’s constitution a minority of Florida voters have decided Amendment 4 will not be adopted, said Lauren Brenzel, campaign director for the Yes on 4 Campaign. 

The reality is a majority of Floridians just voted to end Florida’s abortion ban, she added.  

The demise of pro-abortion Amendment 4 is a momentous victory for life in Florida and for our entire country, said anti-abortion SBA Pro-Life America President Marjorie Dannenfelser in a statement.

Thanks to Gov. Ron DeSantis, when we wake up tomorrow, babies with beating hearts will still be protected in the free state of Florida, she went on. 

Florida was one of ten states where voters would be voting directly on the issue of abortion in the November election.