Nevadans for Reproductive Freedom, the organization responsible for the petition, has gathered over 200,000 signatures from voters in all 17 counties. This number exceeds the required threshold of 102,362 signatures needed to qualify for the November 2024 election.
In 2024, there is expected to be significant bipartisan and non-partisan support for the issue, according to the speaker. She mentioned that both Republicans and Democrats are likely to come forward and express their views on this matter. The state of Nevada, in particular, has a strong backing for abortion access, which is widely favored. The speaker expressed gratitude for being able to provide a safe environment for patients seeking healthcare services.
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In April 2024, the decision was reversed by the state Supreme Court, arguing that all the terms were encompassed under the category of “reproductive rights.”
The opinion stated that it is improper to assert that all the medical procedures considered in the initiative petition, which are related to reproduction, cannot be addressed together just because they are separate procedures.
Nevadans for Reproductive Freedom has expressed its intention to focus on the narrower measure.
“We are committed to using the language that has already been circulated for 2024. However, it is crucial to take a proactive approach in demonstrating that reproductive rights are an integral part of healthcare and hold significant importance for individuals and the overall democracy,” emphasized Harmon. “While our immediate focus is on the upcoming election, we will actively seek opportunities to be more proactive in the future.”
According to the Guttmacher Institute, a research group focused on sexual and reproductive rights, abortions are allowed in Nevada at 24 weeks gestation or beyond.
Moreover, individuals who visit or leave abortion clinics in Nevada are safeguarded by the law against harassment and physical harm. Furthermore, in 2023, a shield law was enacted to safeguard abortion providers from being subjected to investigations by other states.
Abortion rights advocates argue that enshrining protections in the state constitution will strengthen existing safeguards and create greater resilience against potential overturning in the face of shifting national policies on abortion access.
According to Harmon, the focus should be on bodily autonomy and individual freedoms. Therefore, he believes that these aspects should be included in the state constitution to ensure their protection. Harmon acknowledges that in other states, legislators have attempted to pass abortion bans despite opposition from the public. In Nevada, they want to empower the people by giving them the opportunity to vote on this matter and remove it from the control of elected officials.
