AP: Reproductive freedom amendment approved for Maryland constitution

MARYLAND, USA — The right to reproductive freedom will be be added to Maryland’s state constitution, AP projected Tuesday night.  

Question 1 on the Maryland ballot this November asked voters to approve amending the state constitution to add the right to reproductive freedom, codifying abortion protection. 

This statement will be added to the Declaration of Rights in the state constitution: 

“That every person, as a central component of an individual's rights to liberty and equality, has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including but not limited to the ability to make and effectuate decisions to prevent, continue, or end one's own pregnancy. The state may not, directly or indirectly, deny, burden, or abridge the right unless justified by a compelling state interest achieved by the least restrictive means.” 

Since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade with the Dobbs v. Jackson decision in 2022, abortion access has been left up to the states.  

Abortion rights have been part of Maryland law since 1991, when the state legislature passed a bill to prohibit state interference with the decision to have an abortion any time before the fetus is viable.