Constitutional Amendment for Reproductive Freedom
The Need for a Constitutional Amendment for Reproductive Freedom
A constitutional amendment is our pathway to securing the right to abortion, birth control and the full range of reproductive healthcare needs and preventing political intrusion into our personal lives and decisions. By placing this amendment in the hands of voters, we can ensure that politicians cannot revoke or establish barriers to these fundamental human rights.
Being able to decide if, when, how and with whom to start or grow our families is essential to charting our own course for our futures and building strong communities. Reproductive freedom is an economic, health equity, and racial and gender justice issue.
What Virginia needs in a Constitutional Amendment
More than Roe
Roe v. Wade was never enough. Roe merely granted the right to abortion but did not ensure access to care. It also allowed for gaps in care and restrictions that left little to no protections for people needing abortion later in pregnancy.
Virginia needs more than Roe v. Wade. We need broad protections.
Reproductive Freedom, not just abortion
Virginia needs a constitutional amendment that will solidify reproductive freedom, not just abortion rights. This includes
- contraception
- IVF
- fertility treatment
- abortion care
- childbirth
- prenatal care
- miscarriage care
- post-partum care
Protections that Leave No One Behind
Medically unnecessary restrictions like arbitrary week limits leave Virginians behind. Pregnancy and abortion should not be treated like a one size fits all issue.
Politicians should not be able to deny or interfere with an individual’s fundamental right and access to reproductive healthcare including abortion.
Virginia also needs protections from criminalization. People should not face jail time for having an abortion, providing abortion care, or helping someone access the care they need.
Passing the Constitutional Amendment for Reproductive Freedom
We can permanently guarantee the right to abortion and reproductive freedom by amending Virginia’s constitution. The process in Virginia differs from other states as the amendment has to pass the legislature 2 years in a row with an intervening election.
Here’s what this process looks like in Virginia:
- Introduced and passes General Assembly in January 2025
- Intervening House of Delegates Election in November 2025
- Passes a final time in January 2026 to go on the ballot that fall
- Voters pass the Constitutional Amendment for Reproductive Freedom in November 2026
Learn More & Get Involved!
We can’t do this without you and the majority of Virginians who value bodily autonomy and reproductive freedom. We’re hosting multiple Constitutional Amendment Info-Sessions to get all the details about the constitutional amendment for reproductive freedom and how you can get involved in protecting rights and access to reproductive healthcare in Virginia!
