Abortion rights land on California’s November ballot

“Abortion is health care, and should be a private discussion between a patient and their health care provider,” said Pro Tem Atkins. “When politicians and judges force themselves into that room, safety goes out the window. Friday was a dark day. Today, we provide a ray of hope by enabling voters to enshrine reproductive rights in our constitution, reflecting California’s values and protecting all who need abortion, contraceptives, and other reproductive care in our state.”

Pro Tem Atkins and Speaker Rendon introduced SCA 10 shortly after the draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson was leaked in May, indicating that the Court would likely issue a ruling that would reverse Roe v. Wade and undercut nearly five decades of precedence that protects access to abortion. Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California and NARAL Pro-Choice California are the primary co-sponsors of SCA 10, which also is co-authored by 30 Senators and 52 Assemblymembers.

“With the court punching holes in constitutional protections, our rights are in free fall,” said Speaker Rendon. “SCA 10 is our opportunity to turn to California voters – who have strongly supported abortion rights – and let them enshrine this crucial right in California’s Constitution. I am proud to be its joint author.”

SCA 10 passed both houses with a two-thirds majority vote – the only requirement for it to qualify for the November 2022 ballot. It does not need to be signed by the governor. In November, voters will be able to decide whether it should become law, marking the first time that California has given voters the opportunity to add the right to abortion and contraception to the state constitution, and further solidifying California’s longtime standing as a nationwide leader on reproductive rights.