Florida voters shot down a ballot initiative to restrict abortion rights Tuesday night.
Amendment six sought to exclude abortion from privacy rights protected by the Florida Constitution. It was seen by supporters and opponents alike as a step toward requiring minors to get parental consent for abortion.
The proposal, placed on the ballot by the Republican-controlled legislature, also would have banned taxpayer funding of abortions, which the federal government already prohibits.
In the past, Florida courts have successfully cited the state’s privacy clause to block parental-notification laws involving pregnant minors as well as laws requiring doctors to counsel women about alternatives to abortion. The amendment would have meant that abortion legislation like this could be upheld, as it could no longer be challenged under the Florida’s privacy law.
The proposal was rejected by 55% of voters on Tuesday and was among eight proposed Florida state constitutional amendments that fell short.
Florida voters also refused a proposal that would have banned government mandates for obtaining health insurance as is required by President Obama’s healthcare overhaul. The Supreme Court upheld the federal law earlier this year.
Cara Maresca