International- Voters in Michigan supported a ballot measure that would protect abortion rights.
- Michigan's Proposal 3 made pregnancy decisions a state constitutional right.
Voters in Michigan supported a ballot measure that aimed to protect abortion rights. Proposal 3 will amend the state's constitution to add an individual right to reproductive freedom, which includes abortion.
2022 General EmbedsBallot measure details
Proposal 3, also known as the "Reproductive Freedom for All" measure, established a right to reproductive healthcare, including pregnancy, contraception, sterilization, abortion, and miscarriage management.
It also protected those who perform reproductive-related procedures and care, including abortion providers, from prosecution and would nullify any state laws that restrict access to this care.
Previously, Michigan's restrictions on abortion access included parental consent for minors and waiting periods for abortions, according to the Guttmacher Institute.
Proposal 3 upheld a state law that restricts abortions past the point of fetal viability, between 24 and 28 weeks of gestation, with exceptions to the health of the patient.
A petition to bring the measure to voters in November received 700,000 signatures, and the state Supreme Court certified Proposal 3 in July, after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
Other states that voted to add abortion protections to their constitution include California and Vermont.
Support and opposition
Supporters of Proposal 3 included ACLU Michigan, Planned Parenthood, and the Center for Reproductive Rights.
Supporters said the constitutional amendment was necessary to affirm the right to abortion and nullify a 1931 state law that completely bans abortions and threatens abortion providers with up to 15 years of imprisonment.
In September, a court of claims judge granted a permanent injunction on the enforcement of the law.
No on Prop 3 included a coalition of anti-abortion and religious organizations. They opposed the proposal because it canceled laws on the books that restrict abortions, including parental consent laws.