Question 1Constitutional amendment · Put on the ballot by lawmakers
Constitutional reproductive freedom
Explain it like I'm 5
This would add a rule protecting decisions about pregnancy, birth control, abortion, miscarriage care, and fertility care. It is like putting a personal health choice into Virginia's most important rulebook, where lawmakers would have less power to change it.
Yes vote
Adding a constitutional right to reproductive freedom, including abortion, contraception, miscarriage management, and fertility care, while allowing some third-trimester regulation.
No vote
Virginia's Constitution would not add this right, leaving these issues mainly to state laws and courts.
The question to ask yourself
Should reproductive healthcare decisions be protected in the Constitution or mainly decided through ordinary laws?
The case for
- Protects personal medical decisions from changing political majorities.
- Covers contraception, miscarriage care, fertility care, and abortion, not only abortion.
- Allows third-trimester regulation while preserving exceptions for health risks and nonviable pregnancies.
Backed by: Virginians for Reproductive Freedom, ACLU of Virginia, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, League of Women Voters of Virginia
The case against
- Broad language could limit future abortion regulations.
- Critics worry it could reduce parental involvement in minors' reproductive care.
- Opponents believe constitutional protection could weaken legal protection for unborn life.
Opposed by: Family Foundation of Virginia, Virginia Catholic Conference, Virginia Medical Professionals for Women's Safety, Protect Virginia 2026
- Money
- No direct cost or tax effect is estimated in the cited sources.
- Don't be misled
- The claim that it allows abortion with no limits at every stage is misleading because it expressly permits third-trimester regulation, with health and viability exceptions.