Hope amid heartbreak for Amendment 4
Majority vote for reproductive rights signals bipartisan support
Nov 12, 2024
On election night, as the results of Florida’s Amendment 4 poured in, Natasha Sutherland was surrounded by a mix of hope and heartbreak. The overwhelming support for the amendment, which sought to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, was clear: 57% of Florida voters were in favor. But it wasn’t enough to reach the 60% threshold.
Still, Sutherland, senior adviser to the Yes on 4 campaign by Floridians Protecting Freedom, does not consider the results a failure.
“The blood, the sweat, and the tears that we all poured into this campaign were worth it because the people were with us on this issue despite the misinformation, the political interference, and all the challenges we’ve been facing,” she said.
“Of all the things on the ballot, Amendment 4 did the best. I think we did better than Trump … That speaks for itself about this issue,” she added.
Indeed, despite opposition and legal battles waged by the Republican Party, Amendment 4 defied the red wave that hit Miami-Dade County in the 2024 election. It received a majority vote in support, even when Democrats struggled to get their candidates elected throughout the ballot. It did also perform better than Trump himself; The president-elect received just over 55% of the vote, while Amendment 4 received more than 58%.
Barrier in the 60% threshold
Despite the broader support for Amendment 4, the state’s 60% threshold for constitutional amendments — imposed by lawmakers in 2006 — remained a formidable barrier.
State Sen. Shevrin Jones expressed frustration, highlighting that many Floridians support protecting women’s rights but are hindered by the 60% requirement.
“The fact that these women, young women, have less rights than their moms and their grandmothers had in this state is absolutely baffling,” he said.
Even in the face of the setback, advocates remained optimistic. Brittany Frizzelle, a reproductive justice organizer with Power U, expressed that despite her disappointment, it was encouraging to see what happened.
“57% of Floridians supporting Amendment 4 is a major win,” she said. “It’s much higher than when we first started testing this idea two years ago. People are thinking about abortion differently — they are seeing it as healthcare.”
Sutherland mentioned that while the amendment had widespread support, many voters did not understand its significance, as many were unaware of Florida’s existing ban for abortions after six weeks, before many women even know they are pregnant. She highlighted the political opposition, particularly from the state government.
“Governor DeSantis and state agencies leveraged taxpayer dollars against the amendment. It was a government-run campaign that confused voters,” she said.
Frizzelle echoed this concern, emphasizing the need for greater education.
“We do a campaign around comprehensive sex education, and what we noticed in knocking on doors and talking to people was that people don’t understand,” she said. “They need the education; they need to talk about these things. They need to express their opinions and share their stories, and they need to be educated.”
Abortion care: a nonpartisan issue?
In Miami-Dade County, voters overwhelmingly supported Republican candidates up and down the ballot. Nearly every GOP candidate in a countywide race won, including in the U.S. Senate and all five of the newly independent constitutional offices.
Abortion rights, typically opposed by Republicans, was the exception. Why?
Frizzelle explained the shift in public opinion, particularly in conservative areas in the county.
“There are Republicans who support abortion rights,” she said. “There are people who identify as conservative but who understand that abortion is not a political issue. It’s a personal one, and it’s about people making the decisions that are best for their bodies.”
Sutherland also observed that abortion rights are becoming less partisan. In areas that are traditionally conservative, and in Spanish-speaking communities, voters still supported bodily autonomy and the right to make their own decisions on abortion.
Genesis Robinson, a political strategist from Equal Ground, pointed out that public opinion has changed across the state.
“Over half of the state, the same state that voted overwhelmingly for Donald Trump, voted in support of abortion rights,” Robinson said. “This is an issue that affects everyone, regardless of party affiliation, and that’s something we need to take into account as we continue this fight.”
Impact on low-income communities
Despite a majority of voters supporting reproductive rights, Florida’s restrictive abortion laws will continue to disproportionately affect Black women and low-income communities.
According to Jonel Edwards Mickels, co-executive director of Dream Defenders, Amendment 4’s defeat exacerbates existing healthcare disparities.
“With restrictive abortion laws, Black and marginalized women and birthing people are more vulnerable to medical neglect due to racial bias and fear among providers of criminal prosecution,” Mickels said, citing high-profile cases like Amber Nicole Thurman and Josseli Barnica, both women who died after doctors delayed emergency abortion care.
Sutherland emphasized the financial and logistical challenges these communities will face.
“People are going to have to travel, and many people, especially people of these groups, do not have the means to do so,” she said.
She also highlighted Florida’s alarming maternal mortality rates for Black women, which are significantly higher than the national average:
“In Florida, Black women are four times more likely to die from pregnancy complications than white women, and in some pockets of Florida, it can be as high as eight times more likely.”
Frizzelle called for resources to support those who are most impacted.
“We need abortion doulas, financial support for travel, and mental health resources for people who are forced to carry an unwanted pregnancy,” she said.
Mickels advocates for policies that protect abortion access and shield healthcare providers from prosecution:
“We need to invest in community-led healthcare initiatives that prioritize trust and equity for marginalized women.”
The Women’s Emergency Network in Miami is providing financial assistance for abortion care, contraceptive counseling, and other reproductive health services, including travel assistance for those seeking care out of state.
A path forward
Reproductive justice advocates remain determined to continue the fight.
“The legislative battle is far from over,” Frizzelle said.
Advocates are pushing for the repeal of the state’s six-week abortion ban and believe that public pressure on lawmakers could lead to significant changes.
“We have to keep showing up at the legislature, calling our representatives, and reminding them that this is an issue that matters,” she said. “This is not just a setback. It’s a long-term fight that we will continue to wage.”
For Sutherland, the fight is deeply personal.
“This is war, and we’re going to keep fighting,” she declared, emphasizing her commitment as a woman of color who believes in the right to make personal healthcare decisions. With 57% of Floridians opposed to the abortion ban, she believes lawmakers must heed the will of the people or face consequences.
“The people of Florida have made their stance clear, and we’re committed to holding politicians accountable for enacting policies against the will of their constituents,” Sutherland said.
Public education and community engagement will be essential in the next phase, organizers note.
“We need to continue educating people, bringing them into the conversation, and building a stronger coalition for change,” Frizzelle said. “A lot of people don’t understand the facts about abortion rights, and they need to be educated on how this issue directly impacts their lives. Once we get people in the room, we can move them to action.”