LOS ANGELES — When California voters cast their ballots this November, they will decide on Proposition 1, which could add the right to abortion to the state’s constitution.

What You Need To Know

  • California’s Proposition 1 could enshrine abortion protections and the right to contraception in the state’s constitution

  • The proposition was placed on the ballot in response to the overturning of Roe v. Wade

  • Data from a Public Policy Institute of California poll shows that most California voters support a constitutional amendment on abortion rights

“Inside the Issues” host Alex Cohen spoke with CEO and President of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California Jodi Hicks and Paul Mitchell, vice president of Political Data Inc., about how the high court’s ruling could impact voters as we approach the midterm election.

“If this election were being held prior to this decision to eliminate Roe protections for women, the debate would be about Joe Biden, gas prices and inflation,” said Mitchell.

Mitchell said historically, midterms are a referendum on the party in power. For example, in 2010, when Republicans won the House of Representatives under President Barack Obama and when Democrats inspired a blue wave under President Donald Trump in 2018. But, Mitchell said things are different this year.

“What’s interesting now is that we see the spotlight pulling away from Joe Biden and away from the current administration and actually toward the [Trump] administration,” he said. “We’re seeing this real attention drawn toward this abortion debate, which voters believe is a function of the last administration.”

A recent poll from the Public Policy Institute of California shows abortion rights are top of mind for Californians this November, with 69% of voters polled saying they will vote “yes” on Proposition 1.

Jodi Hicks said Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California launched its “Roe the Vote” campaign in March, knowing that the right to abortion would have a large impact on voters.

“Here in California, we’re offering that protection to be at the state constitutional level. That’s what we can do. And we’re seeing that across the country,” said Hicks. “In Kansas, we saw when there was a chance for people to vote after Roe v. Wade, they certainly came out in droves to do that.”

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In August, voters in Kansas rejected an amendment that would have removed abortion protections from the state’s constitution. Election turnout was “incredibly high” according to Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab.

“It’s 50 years of settled law,” said Hicks. “People no longer have federal protection and we’re seeing three months out as people wake up and understand exactly what that means, that they’re willing to go out and vote.” 

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