Nevadans For Reproductive Freedom Is Working to Enshrine Abortion Rights in the State Constitution

As many Republican-controlled states move to pass new restrictions on abortion access, pro-choice advocates want to take this issue directly to voters in the November elections. In states from Florida to Arizona, residents may have the opportunity to weigh in on ballot measures to protect reproductive rights.

Nevada, a purple state that will be crucial to determining control of Congress and the White House, already has strong abortion rights. Thanks to a 1973 law, which was reaffirmed in 1990, abortions are permitted through the first 24 weeks of pregnancy, or later if necessary to protect the health of the pregnant person. But a coalition of progressive organizations and residents is working to enshrine these rights in the state constitution.

Nevadans For Reproductive Freedom officially qualified for the ballot in early June, with officials verifying more than 127,000 signatures — far exceeding the 102,000 required.

Lindsey Harmon, president of Nevadans For Reproductive Freedom, caught up with Teen Vogue via Zoom to talk about how voters can take back control over reproductive rights in their states.

This conversation has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity.

Teen Vogue: Why is Nevadans For Reproductive Freedom taking the approach to enshrine abortion rights in Nevada’s constitution?

Lindsey Harmon: Since the Dobbs decision [overturning Roe v Wade], states like Nevada — where we had statutory protections for abortion access — we’re doubling down. We want to make it very difficult for the opposition to amend that. That’s why we’re seeking a constitutional amendment. Also, because these are related to basic fundamental human rights, we believe that they belong in the constitution. [For a] state like Nevada, it’s incredibly important that we protect these rights, as we border states [with strict abortion restrictions] like Idaho and Utah and Arizona, and we want to make sure that Nevada remains a safe place for [all of those] patients to access abortion.

TV: Your organization is also striving to cement birth control, vasectomies, postpartum care, and IVF into the state constitution as well, right?

LH: That was part of the initial version of the language that was rejected in district court and then appealed to the Supreme Court. So while we believe all of those things do belong under the definition of reproductive freedom, and would love to protect all of those in the [state] constitution, we have actually moved forward with this much narrower version due to timing constraints. Our current initiative that we are gathering signatures on and that will appear on the ballot in 2024 only protects abortion access, not those ancillary items. We do hope that in the legislative session in 2025, we can pursue legislative action that will also seek to protect things like birth control and miscarriage management in the state of Nevada.

TV: What efforts did Nevadans For Reproductive Freedom take to obtain signatures?

LH: We have been working diligently. We have petition initiatives, gatherers out in the field and all of those congressional districts talking to the public, talking to folks who care about this issue, and making sure that everyone has an opportunity to sign that petition. Because people really care about it, especially voters in a state like Nevada. We look for places that have a lot of voters and a lot of high-density locals that participate, but it kind of changes all the time.

TV: Is your organization also coordinating with other states on reproductive rights? And if so, how are you going about it?

LH: For the most part as a coalition, we are working predominantly in our state because we know Nevada voters better than anyone else. And we are working diligently as folks who live and work in the state to get this initiative passed.

TV: Wild West Fund Nevada recently posted about how they will help Arizona women receive abortions in Nevada. Are you working on any similar efforts?

LH: Wild West Fund Nevada is an important partner of ours, especially in a state where we are seeing a lot of patients who are coming in from out of state to seek care at the health centers in Nevada. Wild West Fund Nevada does an important job, where they’re bridging the gap for folks as they need to pay for travel costs and childcare costs and all of these terrible costs that are being imposed by their home states.

TV: How are young people mobilizing around this effort?

LH: I think voters, especially young voters, are really excited to take a stance on this issue. Not only are we turning out those folks who always vote, but I think we’re looking to young people who have never voted before, who are registering to vote just so that they can take a position on this. We see a lot of folks who are really excited about it. Especially young voters and BIPOC voters… Obviously, we have a presence on campuses. We’ve been gathering signatures at all the campuses, both in northern and southern Nevada. We also have a lot of clubs and organizations on campuses that are deeply involved in this issue. We’re really excited to engage them in the campaign phase of this which will start as soon as we qualify.

TV: What is the overarching goal of enshrining reproductive freedoms not only for Nevada but also for the country as a whole?

LH: As a purple state and as a state that is incredibly diverse, [Nevada] plays a large role in the electoral landscape. We expect to set a standard that we hope other states can follow and or collaborate across state lines. Nevada plays an important role [and is] central to conversations about what abortion means in an electoral landscape. And we’re proud to play that role. And we hope that other states will feel empowered and emboldened to pursue constitutional amendments as needed.