Campaigners Make Final Push for Florida’s Amendment 4 to Protect Abortion Rights

 

With just days left before the 2024 presidential election, Florida is facing a crucial decision on Amendment 4, a measure that, if passed, would secure abortion rights in the state constitution and challenge Florida’s six-week abortion ban. The amendment requires a 60% majority vote to pass, a high bar that makes the stakes particularly intense.

Brittany Robinson, a 32-year-old from Tampa, took to door-knocking, fueled by anxiety about the upcoming vote. Robinson, who had an abortion at eight weeks during college, shared that living under the current ban feels "terrifying," knowing that her past choice wouldn’t be an option now.

Florida joins nine other states with abortion-related measures on the ballot, yet the struggle in Florida stands out. In recent years, the state has shifted sharply conservative, and the campaign for Amendment 4 has met fierce resistance. Governor Ron DeSantis and his administration have taken active steps against the campaign, with Florida’s health department issuing cease-and-desist letters to TV stations airing ads supporting the amendment. While activists successfully sued to reverse the ban on their ads, the state's law enforcement has also probed petition signatories.

Laura Shaw, a 21-year-old volunteer, expressed confidence in Floridians’ support but recognized the state's efforts to undermine the movement. Canvassers have faced challenges as well, with residents harboring misconceptions about the amendment’s impact, including fears about late-term abortions. Organizers, including Makenzie Martin, a 23-year-old activist, report encountering misinformation, with some believing it would permit abortions after birth—a narrative popularized by national figures like Donald Trump, though entirely untrue.

The campaign’s nonpartisan approach aims to appeal across political lines, especially given that registered Republicans now outnumber Democrats in Florida by over a million. Canvassers have been advised to avoid discussing candidates and to focus instead on ensuring that medical decisions remain private, regardless of political affiliation.

Polling shows a slim margin for Amendment 4, with 58% support but with a critical 6% undecided. Meanwhile, activists across the state continue working to clarify the amendment’s intent and secure last-minute support.

For Robinson, Martin, and Shaw, the days leading up to the vote have been filled with determination, though with an undercurrent of apprehension. "Honestly, I have no idea," says Lauren, a nurse supportive of the measure but cautious about getting her hopes up. “It’s your body, it’s your choice,” she emphasizes, underscoring the personal stakes for voters across Florida.