Florida Supreme Court hears oral arguments on pro-abortion amendment, rival groups rally
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Supreme Court is hearing oral arguments regarding a ballot initiative enshrining a right to abortion in the state to appear before voters on Nov. 5.
Pro-life and pro-abortion demonstrators are in Tallahassee voicing their support and opposition to restrictions on abortion.
Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody is arguing against the initiative, saying the language of the initiative is misleading, vying for it to be legally disqualified from appearance on the ballot.
The court is also still going to issue a decision on upholding or striking down Florida’s 15-week abortion ban. If upheld, the state’s six-week ban would take effect.
Below is the language of the amendment, which would constitutionally protect abortion, overriding any state laws, before “viability” or when the woman’s health is in jeopardy.
Limiting government interference with abortion.— 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.
