Reproductive Rights

AMENDMENT 2 DEFEATED

The League of Women Voters of Kentucky opposed Amendment 2 and worked with Protect Kentucky Access to defeat this amendment that would have changed the Kentucky Constitution, denying any right to abortions. On November 8, Kentucky voters defeated the amendment with 52.3% voting NO and 47.7% voting YES.

KY Supreme Court hears appeal Nov. 15, 2022

The Kentucky Supreme Court heard arguments on November 15, (watch here) about whether to suspend provisions of the Kentucky's 'trigger law' that went into effect with the June Federal Supreme Court's Dobbs decision, striking down the 1973 Roe v. Wade.

What is Amendment 2?

The Kentucky constitution currently protects the rights to privacy and self-determination. Amendment 2 would eliminate the Constitutional right to choose an abortion in Kentucky. Current laws banning abortion have been challenged as violating the Kentucky Constitution. If Amendment 2 passes, these court cases challenging the bans would be 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 oppose the proposed Amendment 2 to the Kentucky Constitution on the ballot this November. Amendment 2, in combination with KRS 311.772, the “Trigger Law”, would deny 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 passes, 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 can I do?

It is clear that many Kentuckians view Amendment 2 as government overreach, despite their personal feelings about abortion. Take action to demand these complicated decisions stay between medical providers and patients. 

• Volunteer with Protect Kentucky Access

• Join the Reproductive Rights Outreach Circle group to stay informed

• Watch the Amendment 2 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.