DETROIT — A coalition of advocacy organizations hope to compile enough signatures from Michigan voters to change the state's constitution in order to ensure people have the right to an abortion.
The group — comprised of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan, ACLU of Michigan and nonprofit Michigan Voices — launched the bid to put a constitutional amendment before voters as the U.S. Supreme Court prepares to rule on cases that may imperil a nearly 50-year-old decision affirming abortions are legal.
"The vast majority of Michiganders want abortion to remain safe, legal, and accessible," said Nicole Wells Stallworth, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Michigan.
"We are exploring a ballot measure that would preserve every individual's constitutional right to make the very personal decision about reproductive health care, including abortion and keep those decisions between the individual and their medical professional. We all have the right to determine our own futures."
Michigan is one of 26 states that still has a law on the books that makes it illegal for a someone to perform an abortion or assist someone in an abortion unless necessary to save the life of the pregnant person. That law was essentially nullified after the 1973 ruling in Roe v. Wade, but it was never repealed.
That means if the high court rescinds or changes the Roe ruling, the law would likely take effect again.
If that were to happen, almost 2.2 million would would lose access to abortions, according to a 2021 created by the Planned Parenthood Federation of America and In Our Own Voice: National Black Women's Reproductive Justice Agenda.
"Anyone who has had to make the decision about whether or not to have an abortion, no matter the reason, knows to their core that it is deeply personal and should be reserved for them in consultation with their doctor and their loved ones," said Loren Khogali, executive director of ACLU of Michigan.
"Now is the moment for us to come together to protect this fundamental right for Michigan as we hold our collective breath for the Supreme Court's ruling. It is an all-hands-on-deck moment, and we will pursue every option available to secure reproductive freedom for all Michiganders."
Michigan's legislature, long controlled by Republicans, has consistently rejected any proposal that would expand abortion access. It's highly unlikely the House or Senate would pass any bill to repeal the law than outlaws abortions; either chamber is positioned instead to attempt to enact measures that would restrict abortion access.
Genevieve Marnon, the legislative director for Right to Life of Michigan, said she believes more Michiganders than ever oppose abortion. Even if the issue makes it onto a ballot, she believes voters will reject such a change to the constitution.
"Right to Life has been actively working to defend the innocent unborn for 50 years and will continue to do so until all unborn children are afforded legal protection," Marnon said.
The path to successfully ensuring a constitutional amendment goes on a ballot is slightly different from the initiative petition process, the technique used recently by conservatives to repeal an emergency powers law Whitmer relied on early in the COVID-19 pandemic.
For a constitutional amendment petition drive, organizers need 425,059 signatures, or 10% of the votes cast in the 2018 gubernatorial election. On an initiative petition, once enough signatures are verified by the Secretary of State the proposal goes to the Legislature. However, a proposed constitutional amendment goes directly to the ballot, assuming organizers get enough signatures in time and the state verifies the signatures.
In order to get this petition on the November General Election ballot, organizers would need to get all of these signatures and file the required paperwork with the Secretary of State at least 120 days before the election. This year, that's July 11 — that translates to almost 71,000 signatures every month from now until the deadline.
Merissa Kovach, policy strategist for ACLU of Michigan, said the organization is confident it will get the support it needs to put the proposed amendment before voters this year.
Organizers are filing the necessary paperwork with the Board of State Canvassers to start the process Friday morning.
____
