Proposition 1 has passed in California, as voters moved to enshrine a “right to abortion” in the California constitution following the Supreme Court’s decision to reverse Roe v. Wade in June.
With 41% of votes counted, the New York Times has Prop 1 passing by 30 points. NBC News has the new amendment passing by the same margin with 46% of votes counted.
“Proposition 1 changes the California Constitution to say that the state cannot deny or interfere with a person’s reproductive freedom and that people have the fundamental right to choose,” California’s Legislative Analyst’s office said.
“All-trimester abortion”.
That’s what’s on your ballot with Prop 1 California.
Abortion up to the time of birth.
VOTE NO. pic.twitter.com/HcRBSzYcJY
— Senator Melissa Melendez (@senatormelendez) November 8, 2022
California is one of 5 states with ballot measures deciding whether to ensure a state “right” to abortion. California, Michigan and Vermont are voting on inhering the right into their state constitutions, while Kentucky and Montana are voting to remove all protections around abortion. (RELATED: ‘It Actually Feels A Lot Like A Childbirth’ Reporter Whispers As NPR Airs Abortion Procedure On Air)
California Gov. Gavin Newsom previously signed into law Assembly Bill 1666, which protects doctors who perform out-of-state abortion from legal action against them. Newsom signed the legislation in response to the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Center, which the governor said endangered “the health and safety of millions of women across the country.”