LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Almost immediately, Proposal 3 vote tallies indicated strong support for the constitutional amendment that would not only replace the rights granted by Roe v Wade, but expand them. 

When only 5% of the votes were tallied, advocates for Prop. 3 represented 62.2% of the voters while 37.8% of the votes chose no.  Once 50% of the votes were counted the margin between them had diminished but 53.7% of the votes were yes, and 46.3% of the votes were no.  Though votes are still getting counted, at press time, 87% of the votes have been recorded 56.2% yes and 43.8% no. 

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Voters saw a summary of the amendment on the ballot, which broadly outlined the affects of the amendment, namely: “the right to make and carry out all decisions about pregnancy, such as prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, contraception, sterilization, abortion, miscarriage management, and infertility; Allow state to regulate abortion after fetal viability, but not prohibit if medically needed to protect a patient’s life or physical or mental health; Forbid state discrimination in enforcement of this right; prohibit prosecution of an individual, or a person helping a pregnant individual, for exercising rights established by this amendment; Invalidate state laws conflicting with this amendment.” 

Many advocates of the amendment argue that it would simply restore the rights provided by Roe v. Wade, however some experts disagree and believe that this amendment would be the most radical abortion law in the country.  

Michigan is one of several states which had abortion amendments on the ballot, including California and Vermont. 

California’s Prop. 1 passed as well with a far greater margin of 65% yes votes and 35% no votes according to polls.  

The constitutional amendment now will enshrine the right to an abortion: 

“The state shall not deny or interfere with an individual’s reproductive freedom in their most intimate decisions, which includes their fundamental right to choose to have an abortion and their fundamental right to choose or refuse contraceptives. This section is intended to further the constitutional right to privacy guaranteed by Section 1, and the constitutional right to not be denied equal protection guaranteed by Section 7. Nothing herein narrows or limits the right to privacy or equal protection.”

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Those not in favor of California’s Prop. 1, like those who were against Michigan’s Prop. 3 fear that this new amendment would pave the way for unrestricted late term abortions.  

Vermont passed Proposal 5 –  its abortion amendment – with the largest margin of 72% in favor and 22% against the constitutional amendment.