Maryland votes to enshrine abortion rights in state constitution
Maryland voters approved ballot Question 1, a constitutional amendment that protects access to abortion, CBS News projects.
The amendment also protects patients and healthcare providers from any criminal charges imposed by abortion bans in other states.
Abortion is already legal in Maryland, despite a 2022 U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and leave abortion laws to individual states.
What is Maryland Ballot Question 1?
The ballot question language, which did not explicitly mention the word "abortion," clarified that the amendment protects the "ability to make and effectuate decisions to prevent, continue, or end" a pregnancy.
The measure guarantees the right to reproductive freedom in the state constitution, including access to birth control.
Abortion in Maryland
Abortion rights has been a hot-button issue during the 2024 election season, with local candidates and community groups weighing in on the ballot question.
During an hour-long debate in October, Maryland U.S. Senate candidate Angela Alsobrooks criticized her opponent Larry Hogan for vetoing a 2022 bill that would have expanded abortion rights.
In response, Hogan said he supports abortion rights and said Alsobrooks' comments did not accurately reflect his position.
The Maryland Family Institute urged Marylanders to vote against the ballot question in a letter sent in January. On the other side, supporters of the measure launched a "Vote Yes" campaign in January, urging residents to vote for the amendment.
