Florida voters are about to choose whether to expand abortion access. What does Amendment 4 really say and do?

Relentless TV commercials tell Floridians to vote for or against Amendment 4, making all kinds of confusing claims about a possible change to the state’s abortion law. When Florida voters go to the polls in November, they likely will be even more puzzled by the financial impact statement on the ballot next to Amendment 4, asserting that because the law might “result in significantly more abortions and fewer live births,” Florida’s population wouldn’t grow as fast, which means less revenue. From billboards to commercials to social media posts, the persuasion, misinformation, and bold claims are intensifying with just weeks left before voting day.

To provide clarification, here is Amendment 4 explained: Voters will decide on Nov. 5 whether to amend Florida’s constitution to limit government restrictions on abortion. Amendment 4 would codify the right to abortion in Florida’s Constitution.

The Florida Supreme Court ruled that the language in the ballot measure is clear enough for voters to understand. Specially, the amendment says “..

. no law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s healthcare provider.” A “yes” vote supports adding language to the Florida Constitution’s Declaration of Rights that would allow abortions in two circumstances: through “viability” and “to protect the patient’s health, as determined by the patient’s hea.