Besides all the politicians vying for office, this year’s ballot will also have Question 1 – a proposed amendment to the state constitution.
“The proposed amendment confirms an individual’s fundamental right to an individual’s own reproductive liberty and provides 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.”
The actual text of the Amendment as proposed is as follows:
ARTICLE 48.
That every person, as a central component of an individual’s rights to liberty and equality, has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including but not limited to the ability to make and effectuate decisions to prevent, continue, or end one’s own pregnancy. 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.
Proponents of the amendment say it is needed to make sure that Maryland remains a safe harbor for people who want an abortion, no matter who is in office.
Opponents say that the language is far too broad. “Reproductive Freedom” is not defined anywhere in the amendment or existing MD law, meaning this amendment has the potential to be twisted in any number of ways, including violating parental rights to be notified about their children’s healthcare decisions. Others fear it will have implications for religious freedom. Some also cite the section forbidding the legislature from making any regulations and say that this will hamstring any attempts to protect women’s health and safety.
A vote of “yes” on Question 1 will support adding the Amendment to the State Constitution. A “no” will reject this version of a State Constitutional Amendment.
It is important to know that abortion at any stage is already completely legal in the state of MD, and this amendment will not change that.