Virginia Must Vote No on Question 1 to Stop Abortions Up to Birth

In just over one month from now, Virginians will be asked to vote on the so called “Reproductive Freedom Act” which as VSHL has pointed out repeatedly is actually the “Unlimited Abortion Amendment”, or Ballot Question 1.

Early voting starts on September 18, 2026.

This is absolutely the last chance to stop the radical agenda of the abortion promoters and protect women and their babies from reckless policies that the amendment will enforce.

Some have suggested that concerns about the risks attached to this amendment are hype or not true. Some are wondering why we are alerting the public to the misleading language of Ballot Question one. Some think that the General Assembly already voted on the resolution, so it’s all done. Some are simply confused by all of this or have no idea that they will be asked to vote on this amendment this fall.

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First; the concerns being raised are not unfounded. During debates in the General Assembly those supporting the abortion amendment refused to add language that would protect Parental Consent in Virginia, despite the fact that the attorney appointed to the House of Delegates Committee acknowledged that the way the amendment is written definitely opens a path to court challenges to our law.

It is also clear from those debates that the amendment will remove all requirements for only licensed medical professionals to perform or provide abortions.

There was also no willingness to ensure that the amendment will not forbid the General Assembly from passing a law to protect a baby that may survive an abortion.

In fact, the Amendment will prevent all future efforts by legislators to pass any reasonable laws to protect women from unscrupulous actors because it prohibits laws that will hold accountable those who cause harm when involved in abortion related activity. So abusers,  predators or traffickers who coerce a woman or a teenage girl to have an abortion will not face punishment.

All of these valid concerns were openly ridiculed by pro-abortion amendment supporters in the General Assembly during the final votes during the 2026 session.  So, the hard truth is that this amendment is not about protecting women’s safe reproductive care, but merely more political action designed to make abortion up to birth permanently legal in Virginia. We don’t want to follow in the footsteps of Massachusetts.

This is the very last step that will decide if this unacceptable amendment becomes constitutional law in our state. The result will not go back to the GA or the Governor.  This time every vote matters as in no other election. We really are the last line in the sand to prevent Virginia from becoming the abortion center of the South. A simple majority NO vote will stop it and ensure that mothers and babies can be protected here in the future.

We are not just wringing our hands either. VSHL’s team has joined with many other concerned Virginia organizations, churches and individuals to mobilize and educate everyone on just how risky this amendment is and how misleading the Ballot language is.  At fairs, online, in churches and even on Radio and TV we are getting the word out.

The Governor did approve the wording on Ballot Question  1 that you will see in the voting booth. It is written to deliberately deceive the public.  The amendment isn’t about prenatal care, miscarriage care or fertility care, it’s about allowing unlimited abortion up to birth.  It’s also misleading about punishing those who harm a woman. There will be no accountability under this new law.

We know how dangerous this amendment is from the experience of other states. Virginia must not follow suit. These amendments bring years of Court cases, and overturned state laws that save lives.

Now is the time to spread the word. A No Vote doesn’t change the current laws on abortion but it does let Virginians remain in control of how we protect the people we love. We must reject the political grandstanding that the Amendment supporters will spin. Virginia cares about respecting our own values. Vote No on Ballot question 1.

Help VSHL educate all of Virginia. 

LifeNews Note: Olivia Gans is the director of the Virginia Society for Human Life.