The Planned Parenthood clinic in Miami was bustling with activity after Florida’s Supreme Court upheld a law banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. Many women were concerned and fearful about the ban, with some worrying they would be turned away from getting an abortion. Florida was one of the last states in the Southeast where abortion was still largely accessible, attracting people from nearby states with more restrictive laws. With the ban looming, pregnant individuals are feeling confused and uncertain about their options.
The new law allows for abortions in cases of rape or incest, but many women still feel forced to carry a child they do not want. The majority of patients seeking services at Planned Parenthood are past six weeks of pregnancy, making it difficult for them to access abortions under the new law. The ban disproportionately affects marginalized groups who may not have the resources to travel to other states for the procedure. Providers worry about the lack of infrastructure in neighboring states to support abortion seekers from Florida.
There is hope among those who support fewer restrictions on abortion that the tide will turn in favor of abortion access come November. Florida voters will have the opportunity to invalidate the six-week ban and prevent restrictions on abortion before fetal viability via a ballot measure. Democrats see this as an opening in a traditionally red state and plan to spend money to remind voters of the importance of this issue in the upcoming election. The state will be grappling with the strict abortion regulations in the months leading up to the election.
Despite the lack of significant protests following the court ruling, people expressed concern over the ban on abortions after six weeks. The decision has motivated some individuals, like University of Miami student Cheyenne Clelland, to vote in November to protect their rights. While she personally would not get an abortion, Clelland believes in the importance of choice and is concerned about the impact of the ban on reproductive rights. Democrats will need to mobilize voters and raise awareness about the ballot measure to ensure support for abortion access in Florida.
