Mississippi Voters Reject Dangerous Amendment Designed to Ban Abortion and Set Up Challenge to Roe v. Wade

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JACKSON, Miss. – Mississippi voters tonight rejected an amendment to the Mississippi Constitution intended to ban abortion and to set up a legal challenge to Roe v. Wade.

“Tonight, the people of Mississippi stood up for women’s health and said no to political interference in a woman’s private medical decisions,” said Nsombi Lambright, executive director of the ACLU of Mississippi. “We’re proud to have been part of the coalition of doctors and nurses, clergy and parents and tens of thousands of Mississippians that defeated this dangerous amendment.”

“Even in a conservative state, tonight’s vote reaffirms that people do not want government intruding in personal decisions best made by a woman, her family and her doctor,” said Jennifer Dalven, director of the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project. “This is the third time an amendment like this has failed. Legislators around the country should listen to the voters of Mississippi and stop playing politics with women’s health.”

Nsombi Lambright, Jennifer Dalven and Alexa Kolbi-Molinas, staff attorney with the ACLU Reproductive Freedom Project are available for comment.