A Pro-Life Amendment is on the Ballot
By Claire Aldridge
For the Pro-Life voters in Kentucky, there is an exciting new amendment that will be on the ballot on November 8th. This amendment has been referred to as the “No Right to Abortion in Constitution Amendment”[1]. The amendment, after being introduced in the Kentucky House of Representatives, was voted on and passed 76-20. In the Senate, it was voted on and passed 32-6.[2] Now, it is up to the citizens of Kentucky to get the amendment established in the state Constitution.
The goal is to clearly state in Kentucky’s Constitution what the state’s position is on the legality of abortion. The amendment reads, “To protect human life, nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to secure or protect a right to abortion or require the funding of abortion.”[3] This amendment is needed to clarify Kentucky’s position, legally, on the issue of abortion. This amendment is necessary to prevent any judge from ruling that abortion is a right according to the Kentucky Constitution. Judge Mitch Perry, a Circuit Court Judge in Jefferson County, Kentucky, filed a “temporary injunction” which still allows for abortions up to fifteen weeks, following the overturning of Roe vs. Wade.[4] If the amendment is voted for in November, judges will not be able to interpret the Kentucky Constitution in any way that is favorable to abortion.
The amendment is straightforward and worded in a clear and concise manner. The question will be phrased on the ballot, “Are you in favor of amending the Constitution of Kentucky by creating a new Section of the Constitution to be numbered Section 26A to state as follows: To protect human life, nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to secure or protect a right to abortion or require the funding of abortion?”[5] The question is easy to understand and for a Pro-Life voter, the answer is simple.
It is worth mentioning, as well, that there will be a lot of money poured into advertising in order to misconstrue the amendment’s stated purpose. Senator Mike Wilson warned of this possibility at the opening of the Republican Headquarters in Bowling Green. Despite any purposely confusing advertising that may take place, the question is a simple one. Do you want the Constitution of Kentucky to have no tolerance for abortion whether it be the action itself, or the funding thereof?
Works Cited
Antram, Victoria, “Kentucky voters will decide an amendment in 2022 saying there is no right to abortion in the state constitution,” Ballotpedia News, March 31, 2021, https://news.ballotpedia.org/2021/03/31/kentucky-voters-will-decide-an-amendment-in-2022-saying-there-is-no-right-to-abortion-in-the-state-constitution/.
Rickert, Aprile, “Judge upholds blocks to enforcement of Ky. trigger ban, 6-week ban on abortion,” 89.3 WFPL, July 22, 2022, https://wfpl.org/judge-upholds-blocks-to-enforcement-of-ky-trigger-ban-6-week-ban-on-abortion/.
H.R. 91, (2021). https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/21RS/hb91/orig_bill.pdf.
“House Bill 91,” Kentucky General Assembly, https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/record/21RS/hb91.html.
[1] Victoria Antram, “Kentucky voters will decide an amendment in 2022 saying there is no right to abortion in the state constitution,” Ballotpedia News, March 31, 2021.
[2] Ibid.
[3] H.R. 91, (2021). https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/21RS/hb91/orig_bill.pdf.
[4] Aprile Rickert, “Judge upholds blocks to enforcement of Ky. trigger ban, 6-week ban on abortion,” 89.3 WFPL, July 22, 2022, https://wfpl.org/judge-upholds-blocks-to-enforcement-of-ky-trigger-ban-6-week-ban-on-abortion/.
[5] H.R. 91, (2021). https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/recorddocuments/bill/21RS/hb91/orig_bill.pdf.