Should Abortion and Contraception Rights Be Included in Virginia's Constitution?
Doctors say the measure could weaken medical oversight and parental consent rules while expanding constitutional protections for abortion and fertility care.
- On Friday, physicians gathered at the Virginia State Capitol to urge voters to reject a proposed reproductive freedom amendment set for the November 3 ballot, citing concerns about medical oversight and parental consent.
- The proposal would add a right to reproductive freedom to the Virginia Constitution, reducing the requirement for certifying third-trimester abortions from three doctors to one.
- Opponent Victoria Cobb argued the amendment's language could invalidate parental consent laws, while Dr. Christina Francis, CEO of the American Association of Pro-Life Obstetricians and Gynecologists, warned it could allow abortions by unlicensed providers.
- Defending the legislation, House Majority Leader Charniele Herring stated the language ensures state agencies can continue enforcing regulations and that the amendment protects existing rights rather than overriding parental consent.
- Early voting for the November 3 election continues through October 31, while Guttmacher Institute data shows over 39,000 abortions occurred in Virginia in 2025, including over 8,400 from out of state.
14 Articles
14 Articles
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Virginians considering enshrining reproductive rights in state constitution
Virginians will see three proposed constitutional amendments on their ballot when they go to vote in this year’s midterm elections. One of them would enshrine abortion and other reproductive rights in the state constitution.
Third-trimester abortion in Virginia constitutional amendment vote
Virginia voters will decide in November whether they want to enshrine the right to third-trimester abortions into the commonwealth’s constitution via ballot initiative, which would make it the most permissive state with respect to abortion in the Southeast. Virginia is one of three states that will vote on enshrining a fundamental right to abortion and […]
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