Most people understand the general election process as how we elect the President of the United States, and that’s true. However, the general election also includes voting on statewide issues, not just national ones. This year, six amendments are on the Florida ballot, but perhaps none are as divisive as Amendment 4. Amendment 4 would amend the Florida Constitution to protect abortion rights before fetal viability or when the mother’s life is at risk.

Despite some confusion, this amendment would not overturn the current constitutional requirement that parents of a minor must be notified before the minor can receive an abortion.

The exact wording is:

“Except as provided in Article X, Section 22, 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.”

In summary, a “yes” vote on the amendment would prevent the government from restricting abortion in certain cases before viability in Florida. A “no” vote would allow government restrictions on abortion, like the current law. As of May 1, 2024, Florida prohibits abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.

Abortion rights are a controversial issue in many states across the country. This has been the case since 2022 when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, sparking a wave of women’s rights marches and movements. Roe v. Wade, the historic 1973 Supreme Court case, had previously protected the constitutional right to abortion.

While this article is intended to inform, I am not an expert. I encourage all voters, regardless of age or political affiliation, to research Amendment 4 thoroughly using reliable sources.

One source I recommend is Ballotpedia, which offers simple explanations of all the amendments on this year’s ballot.