Nevadans value reproductive freedom

Reproductive freedom is a proud state value in Nevada. We’ve been protecting our right to abortion long before the Supreme Court overturned it on the federal level with the ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization — and we aren’t stopping now. That is why NARAL Pro-choice Nevada and its 48,000 members co-founded a new coalition, Nevadans for Reproductive Freedom, to advocate for Senate Joint Resolution 7, which would enshrine a constitutional right to reproductive freedom in our state.

June 24, 2022, the day the Dobbs decision was issued, will live in infamy for the chaos it has sown across America. It also happened to be my daughter’s fifth birthday. As her mom, I put on my bravest face to ensure she would not know that that day, she woke up a year older and much less free to make her own decisions about her body. Turning 5 is a huge milestone, and it breaks my heart to know she is growing up with fewer freedoms than I did.

When the Supreme Court ended the constitutional right to abortion, it permanently altered the landscape for access across the country. In 1990, Nevada voters overwhelmingly approved a referendum that locked protections for abortion access into state law. This was a significant step to protect our reproductive freedoms and cement Nevada’s place as one of America’s greatest places to live. While other states were attacking the freedoms of their residents, we moved to safeguard our reproductive rights.

But in this new reality without a federal constitutional right to abortion, state-level protections are being tested like never before. Millions of Americans live in the 18 states that eliminated or restricted access because of abortion bans, forcing those with the means to do so to cross state lines for care. This includes states that border ours — like Idaho, Utah and Arizona.

SJR7 protects many aspects of reproductive freedom, including a person’s right to access birth control, prenatal care, birthing care, postpartum care, vasectomy and tubal ligation, miscarriage management and infertility care — in addition to abortion rights. It’s critical to protect the full spectrum of reproductive health care because we know it’s not just our right to abortion under attack. Anti-choice lawmakers and activists are also targeting our right to determine our own futures by undermining access to birth control, infertility care and miscarriage management.

SJR7 will need to pass the Nevada Legislature this session and in the next session in 2025 before going to the voters in the 2026 election. The good news is that Nevadans overwhelmingly support our freedom to decide if, when, and how to grow or start a family — without politicians’ interference. According to polling conducted by Breakthrough Campaigns, 8 in 10 voters in our state want the government to stay out of the decisions around reproductive freedom — including 83% of Latino/a voters, 86% of Black voters and 88% of independent voters.

Not only do Nevadans want this constitutional amendment (with 60% of folks already committing to vote yes) but polling shows they are also more motivated to turn out to an election when abortion is on the ballot.

Nevadans must be able to access reproductive health care that meets our needs throughout our lives. Decisions about our health care — especially our reproductive health care — should always be between a person, their provider, and those they love and trust. This constitutional protection would ensure that Nevadans are protected from government overreach in our reproductive health care decisions, including abortion, and that patients and their providers are guaranteed privacy. As this effort progresses, we are eager to have conversations with Nevadans. You’re invited to join us and help protect our freedom, families and futures. This constitutional protection cannot come fast enough for us and for future generations.