Virginia Voters Approve Question 1 Reproductive Freedom Amendment

Virginia voters approved Question 1, a constitutional amendment establishing a fundamental right to reproductive freedom, LifeZette reports. The Associated Press called the race around 9:01 p.m. with about 63% of the vote counted.

Key points

• What it covers: The amendment covers decisions ranging from prenatal care, childbirth and contraception to abortion, miscarriage management and fertility care, and shields patients and providers from punishment over them.
• Third trimester: The state may regulate abortion in the third trimester but may not ban one when a physician, using "professional judgment," finds it medically necessary for the pregnant person's life, physical health or mental health, or when the fetus is not viable.
• Change from current law: Before, a treating physician and two consulting physicians had to agree before a later abortion. The amendment leaves that decision to one physician.
• Spending: LifeNews reported that supporters of the amendment spent as much as $5 million.
• Next steps: The amendment takes effect on certification with no action needed from the General Assembly or governor, but a hearing on a challenge seeking to block certification is set for November 13.

Quick take

The article says the mental health exception and single-physician standard would in effect allow third-trimester abortions for almost any reason, the central objection raised by opponents. Olivia Gans Turner of the Virginia Society for Human Life told LifeNews the wording was misleading and said the measure is "not about protecting women's safe reproductive care."

Read the full story at LifeZette.