Reproductive Rights
The League of Women Voter is a nonpartisan organization— we do not support specific candidates or political parties. However, we take stances and advocate on behalf of issues, regardless of which politicians or parties choose to address those issues. The League of Women Voters believes every US resident should have access to affordable, quality health care, including birth control and the privacy to make reproductive choices. As an ally of reproductive rights organizations, we know that safe access to health care, including the full spectrum of reproductive care, is essential to our democracy.
An amendment appeared on the ballot in fall of 2022 that related to Kentuckians’ constitutional rights to privacy in reproductive matters. If Amendment 2 had passed there would have been nothing to prevent politicians from permanently banning abortion outright with no exceptions. We defeated the Amendment!
What was the proposed Kentucky Constitutional Amendment 2?
DEFEATED BY KENTUCKY VOTERS IN 2022!
The Kentucky constitution currently protects the rights to privacy and self-determination. Amendment 2 would have eliminated the Constitutional right to choose an abortion in Kentucky. Current laws banning abortion have been challenged as violating the Kentucky Constitution. If Amendment 2 had passed, these court cases challenging the bans would have been dismissed.
LWVKY Board Statement
Our Kentucky Constitution is designed to protect ALL in the Commonwealth, but politicians and special interests behind the constitutional amendment want to eliminate the rights of Kentucky women.
An individual’s right to personal reproductive autonomy is central to an individual's dignity and liberty to determine one’s own life course. Liberty is defined as ‘the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life’ (Oxford Languages).
We strongly opposed the proposed Amendment 2 to the Kentucky Constitution on the ballot in 2022. Amendment 2, in combination with KRS 311.772, the “Trigger Law”, would have denied the right to abortion in all cases including rape and incest.
Additionally, the suggested Amendment 2 and all anti-choice statutes interfere with the freedom and liberty of individuals and families to make critical and timely decisions with the best medical advice without government interference.
Women’s rights are human rights, and we will continue to educate and advocate until reproductive freedom is restored in Kentucky.
What is the ‘Trigger Law’?
The Trigger Law became enforceable once the Federal protections afforded by Roe V. Wade were overturned by the Supreme Court’s decision on Dobbs v Jackson Women’s Health Organization in June 2022. Kentucky’s ‘Trigger Law’ has been challenged in the court system as unconstitutional because the KY Constitution grants Kentuckians rights to privacy and self-determination.
If Amendment 2 had passed, the KY constitution could no longer be used to protect reproductive rights. This case arguing against the Trigger Law, and any others like it, would be dismissed.
What other impacts would the proposed Amendment 2 have?
If the proposed Amendment 2 had passed, reproductive care such as contraception (oral contraceptive pills, IUDs, implantable medication), miscarriage care, fertility treatments, all of which have been protected under privacy laws, might no longer be protected. Healthcare not related to reproduction would likely also be affected.
What can I do?
Click to join the LWVKY’s Reproductive Rights OutreachCircle.
It is clear that many Kentuckians view the proposed Amendment 2 as government overreach, despite their personal feelings about abortion. Take action to demand these complicated decisions stay between medical providers and patients.
Join the LWVKY’s Reproductive Rights OutreachCircle group to stay informed
Watch the Kentucky Amendment 2: No Right to Abortion in Kentucky Constitution Community Forum hosted by LWV Lexington with guest speaker Kelsey Coots, Field Organizing Director with Protect Kentucky Access.
Watch or listen to the recording of the 9/28/2022 Trivial Thursdays episode on WRFL with guests Brittany Strube, Chair of LWVKY Reproductive Rights Committee; Jennifer Jackson, Co-president of the LWV of Lexington; and Kelsey Coots, Field Organizer for Protect Kentucky Access to learn more about this issue.
Vote NO on Kentucky Constitutional Amendment 2 when you vote. The proposed Kentucky Constitutional Amendment 2 will be at the end of your ballot.