TAMPA, Fla. — On Election Day this Nov. 5, Florida voters will be focused on electing a president, U.S. senator and several other state and local positions.
But, it's important to remember we'll also be voting on six different constitutional amendments that deal with some pretty hot-button issues — including abortion rights.
Amendment 4, the abortion rights measure, has been one of the most talked about ballot issues leading up to Election Day 2024. We broke it down for you so you'll know exactly how to vote this Nov. 5 based on your beliefs.
This amendment would limit the government's interference in abortion.
More specifically, it would block any law or government from restricting an abortion before the point of viability — when the fetus is viable outside the womb. This is usually around 24 weeks of pregnancy.
If voters pass this amendment in November, the right to an abortion will be set in stone in the Florida constitution with this language:
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. This amendment does not change the Legislature's constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion.
This will get rid of Florida's 6-week abortion ban that's currently in place and stop Florida lawmakers from passing similar restrictions in the future.
To pass Florida's abortion rights amendment (Amendment 4), 60% of voters need to vote “yes" in the November 2024 election.
'Yes' or 'no' on Amendment 4?
Voting YES on Amendment 4 would undo Florida's current 6-week abortion ban and enshrine the right to an abortion in the Florida constitution.
Voting NO on Amendment 4 would keep the current Florida law in place that bans abortions after 6 weeks of pregnancy. There are exceptions only in cases of rape, incest or human trafficking up to 15 weeks of pregnancy.
