Victories in Colorado, Maryland

Will keep updating.

Maryland activists secured victory in the passage of its abortion rights amendment. Abortion was already legal in the state, but reproductive rights leaders wanted to further protect with constitutional guarantees. Erin Bradley, chair of Freedom in Reproduction Maryland, spoke to me about the win. 

“They respect a person's right to make their own decisions about their health and that only an individual and their healthcare provider really have the right to make that decision,” Bradley said. “I think that that was the underlying premise. And then with some voter education and outreach efforts, we were able to just, we were able to ensure that Marylanders voted their values.” 

Colorado’s ballot initiative, which enshrined abortion rights in the state constitution and permitted public funds to pay for abortions, passed overwhelmingly. Jessica Grennan, campaign director for the effort, spoke to me over the phone. 

“Voters realize that abortion is part of the range of health care available for folks, and I think people are mad at what's happening around the country on abortion access and abortion rights,” Grennan said. “And I think we have real people telling real stories on why, why this was so important to enshrine in the constitution.”