Florida's Six-Week Abortion Ban Affects 25,000 Women, May Trigger November Referendum

May 5, 2024, 09:05 AM

Following the overturning of Roe v. Wade, Florida has enacted a stringent six-week abortion ban, prompting significant changes in abortion access across the state. Over the past five years, more than 25,000 women traveled to Florida for abortions. With the new law, options for women seeking abortions have decreased, leading many clinics in neighboring Southern and mid-Atlantic states to ramp up their services. The law has also spurred political responses, including a potential referendum that could relax the restrictions depending on voter turnout and preferences in the upcoming November elections. Additionally, the state is considering an expansion of the 'Safe Haven' laws and has clarified medical emergencies under the abortion ban. In one clinic, women have begun writing supportive messages to each other on the bathroom walls as a form of coping and solidarity.