The election of November 5, 2024, brought the first round of voting on Question 6, a ballot measure that would enshrine a “fundamental right to abortion” in the state constitution and would allow the state to regulate abortion after “viability” (which is roughly 24 weeks) when necessary for the life or health of the woman. This language essentially permits abortion though 9 months of pregnancy. The measure would remove the current parental notification and consent laws for minor children and eliminate a ‘licensed physician’ requirement by substituting ‘health care practitioner’ instead. Enshrining abortion in the state constitution, the proposal makes it very difficult to regulate or limit abortion.
To complete the process for amending the state constitution, voters must again approve the ballot measure in 2026.
