League of Women Voters of Florida co-president Cecile M. Scoon, Esq. PHOTO COURTESY OF LWVFL.ORG/

Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, the Florida Supreme Court has granted final approval regarding the wording of a citizen-led ballot initiative entitled “Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion.” This approval ensures that the initiative will be placed in front of Florida voters as Amendment 4 in the 2024 general election. The amendment requires 60% of favorable support to pass. The League of Women Voters of Florida celebrates this approval and is committed to doing everything possible to see the initiative succeed. Simultaneously, the Court issued a ruling approving a 15-week ban on abortion triggering a six-week abortion ban passed by the legislature that will go into effect in the coming weeks. This ruling is a major blow to bodily autonomy and freedom.

"This issue is critical to the League because without the ability to make reproductive decisions for one’s own body, one cannot participate equally in our democracy," said League of Women Voters of Florida co-president Cecile M. Scoon, Esq. "Florida’s six-week ban goes against the will of Floridians across the political spectrum. Now, it’s up to us as, advocates and citizens, to ensure our

personal medical decisions are ours and ours alone to make. Women’s rights are human rights! The League will continue efforts to educate citizens and motivate them to vote yes on Amendment 4 to ensure the fundamental rights of women to control their bodies. Such control ensures that women can participate fully in our precious democracy."

The League of Women Voters of Florida has a long history of advocating for reproductive freedom and ensuring that all individuals have the right to make decisions about their own bodies. Since 1983, the League of Women Voters has been a vocal advocate that public policy must affirm the constitutional right of privacy of the individual to make reproductive choices.

During the petition gathering phase of this citizen’s initiative, League members from across the organization’s 29 local affiliates worked in coordination with the Floridians Protecting Freedom campaign to ensure more than a million petitions were signed and collected. Following today’s announcement, the League will begin work to launch a comprehensive campaign to educate voters about the importance of Amendment 4 and to encourage them to vote in favor of reproductive freedom.

"We are dedicated to ensuring that all individuals have the right to make decisions about their own bodies and have access to the reproductive healthcare they need. We are dedicated to ensuring women can fully participate in democracy." said League of Women Voters of Florida co-president Debbie Chandler, Esq. "We will be working tirelessly to ensure that this initiative passes and that reproductive freedom is protected in Florida."

The League of Women Voters of Florida invites all Floridians to join in this important fight for reproductive freedom. Together, we can ensure that all individuals have the right to make decisions about their own bodies and participate equally in our democracy.