Demonstrators in Reno following the Dobbs ruling in June 2022. (Photo: Kingkini Sengupta/Nevada Current)
Because of the way state-level abortion protections were established in Nevada, abortion law is largely shielded from meddling by state lawmakers. But one ballot measure up for consideration by voters this year promises to make those protections even stronger.
Abortions in Nevada are currently legal up to 24 weeks after the start of the pregnancy and after 24 weeks if a physician believes the pregnant person’s life or health is at risk. Those protections were put in place via a citizen-driven referendum passed by voters in 1990 and would require a direct vote of the people to change.
Question 6 would establish abortion as a fundamental right in the state constitution, which also requires a vote of the people to amend. It would protect abortion until “fetal viability,” which by definition would be something determined by the patient’s health care practitioner. Abortions beyond that point would also be legal if needed to protect the pregnant person’s life or health.