Since the Supreme Court’s devastating decision to overturn Roe v Wade, the landmark decision that codified the right to an abortion, many states have passed near or total abortion bans. Amidst this nationwide attack on reproductive freedom, the overwhelming majority who support abortion rights are coming together to fight for a world where every person has the freedom to make decisions about their body and future. Across the country, we’ve seen people rise up, speak out, and cast their ballots in defense of abortion rights. That’s why, the week leading up to the 2023 November elections, ACLU-DE staff members, Vonda Smack and Andrew Bernstein, travelled to Ohio to help the ACLU-OH team knock on doors, phonebank, and ensure voters could cast their ballots confidently during the final push to pass the state’s constitutional amendment enshrining Ohioan’s right to make their own decisions about pregnancy, including abortion care, in state law.
As we look ahead to the 2024 election season in Delaware, the lessons from our staff members’ experience in Ohio continue to influence our organizing and advocacy work in the First State. Last month, we partnered with Women’s March Sussex and the Lewes Public Library to host Reproductive Rights: Taking Action in Delaware, an educational event about reproductive rights in Delaware, ways for community members to get involved in the fight to expand abortion rights for Delawareans, and how we can work together to support House Substitute 2 for House Bill 110 (HS 2 for HB 110), legislation to ensure that people on Medicaid, private, and state insurance plans can access abortion care without financial burden. At this event, attendees heard from Vonda and Andrew about their time in Ohio and how we can bring the momentum from Ohio home to Delaware during the upcoming elections, and. The event also featured Senator Kyle Evans Gay (State Senate District 5), who spoke about the current state of abortion rights in Delaware and what the future of reproductive justice looks like for the First State. Although the right to an abortion is already codified in our states law, there’s still critical work to be done to ensure that right is accessible to all those who need it.
The event ended with time to allow attendees to act – in support of HS 2 for HB 110 by sending a message to their state legislators urging them to support and fund. the bill. Real access to abortion care means that people from all walks of life — young people, low-income people, those who live far from medical providers, and disabled people — can access care. HS 2 for HB 110 is an important step toward breaking down and addressing socioeconomic barriers and racial disparities. It now awaits for a full vote on the House floor.
We need you to act to ensure HS 2 for HB 110 makes it to the Governor’s desk this legislative session.
