Sacramento – Less than an hour after the polls closed in California, a victory was cast for the Yes on Proposition 1 campaign with early returns showing over 69 percent support. The measure will add the right to abortion along with the right to use or refuse contraception directly into the California State Constitution.
California results follow initial returns in both Vermont and Michigan that show voters across the country are voting to affirm abortion rights
Proposition 1 campaign co-chairs Senate pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins (D-San Diego) and Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California President & CEO Jodi Hicks issued the following statement:
“When the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade this summer, we knew we had to take decisive action in California not only to protect the right to abortion, but to send a clear message to the country that we will not go backward, we will not stand to live in a world where the next generations have fewer rights than we did and we won’t let extreme politicians or judges control our reproductive health.
Tonight was a moment for California to say loud and proud that we believe in letting people control their own futures and live their own dreams. Californians didn’t just vote to protect abortion – they showed up overwhelming to make it clear: abortion is a fundamental right.
Thank you to everyone who voted to support Prop 1, to our generous coalition who helped us reach all corners of California to help voters understand exactly what was at stake on our ballot, and to those across the country who joined in this effort.
To our colleagues across the nation – we hope California’s victory tonight gives you the momentum you need to add abortion rights directly into your state constitutions as well. Together, we can stop the extremists who threaten our rights, our future and our values.”
