By Gabby Bonds
Elm Staff Writer
Question 1 on the Maryland ballot for the upcoming election has received criticism regarding its phrasing on what is perhaps one of the nation’s most controversial topics: abortion access.
The question proposes an amendment to Maryland’s constitution that “confirms an individual’s fundamental right to reproductive freedom.”
According to Maryland Matters, Mileah Kromer, a pollster and director of the Institute of Politics at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, “polling over the last couple of years in Maryland has suggested that Marylanders overwhelmingly support the right to choose.”
Therefore, the recent controversy does not necessarily surround the content of the question itself, but rather the way it is phrased. Despite being included within the language of the proposed amendment, the term “abortion” is not mentioned at all.
According to American University Radio, Erin Bradley, chair of Freedom in Reproduction-Maryland (FIRM), those in support of the amendment would have preferred that the term “abortion” be referenced specifically to further ensure its protection.
According to the proposed amendment, Question 1 “confirms an individual’s fundamental right to freedom.”
On the other hand, those against abortion and this amendment argue that the broad phrasing will result in dangerous repercussions outside of the range of reproductive freedom, primarily that of restricting parental rights.
This concern stems from the fact that the amendment does not specifically exclude minors, considering that it protects “an individual’s fundamental right,” thus effectively including minors.
According to WBAL News Radio, current Maryland law requires that a notification be sent to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion, excluding some specific circumstances.
“What this does not do: it does not change anything in existing law or statute about parental notification,” Bradley said.
Therefore, the concerns regarding the restriction of parental rights may also be considered an anti-abortion strategy to criticize the amendment on grounds other than abortion.
Furthermore, those against the amendment have also raised concerns regarding its potential to provide gender-affirming care. This claim is even more far-fetched than that of parental rights, considering that the amendment protects reproductive health care, which differs from gender-affirming care.
The criticism regarding the language of Question 1 from those opposed to it can be seen as a last-ditch effort to stop its passing. However, Maryland’s primarily dominant abortion-supporting population makes these efforts arguably futile.
Reproductive freedom is on the ballot in seven other states in this election.
It is important that voters, including those at Washington College, are aware of the local legislation up for debate on their ballot. It is even more important that they cast their vote to decide this legislation’s fate.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.
Photo Caption: Reproductive rights are included on Maryland ballots this November.