This amendment seeks to overturn the state's stringent six-week abortion ban, one of the strictest in the United States.

Voters will be asked to cast a "yes" or "no" vote on Amendment 4, which is officially titled "Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion." It proposes that "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." Importantly, the amendment does not alter the existing requirement for parental notification before a minor can undergo an abortion.

A "yes" vote would support embedding the right to abortion in Florida's constitution, effectively rolling back the current six-week ban that took effect in May 2023. Conversely, a "no" vote would maintain the status quo, keeping the existing restrictions in place. For Amendment 4 to pass, it needs to secure at least 60% of the votes.

Public opinion on this issue appears divided but leans toward supporting abortion rights. A CBS News/YouGov poll conducted in May indicated that 56% of registered voters in Florida view the six-week ban as too strict, with 65% believing abortion should be legal in most cases. More recent data from The Hill and Emerson College Polling shows that 55% of likely voters are in favor of Amendment 4. Another poll by The New York Times and Siena College earlier this month found that 46% of likely voters support the amendment, while 38% oppose it, and 16% remain undecided.

The proposed amendment has drawn strong reactions from both sides of the political spectrum. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, a vocal opponent, along with the state Republican party, urges voters to reject the measure. Critics argue that the amendment's language regarding "viability" is vague and could lead to more lenient regulations on late-term abortions, potentially endangering pregnant patients.

In contrast, supporters, including the Florida Women's Freedom Coalition, emphasize that Amendment 4 aims to restore reproductive rights lost with the overturn of Roe v. Wade. They argue it would place healthcare decisions back into the hands of patients and their doctors, shielding these choices from political interference. Anna Hockhammer, the coalition's executive director, contends that the amendment respects parental rights while ensuring competent and trained healthcare professionals provide abortion services.

As Florida approaches the 2024 election, the debate over Amendment 4 continues to intensify, spotlighting the state's pivotal role in the national discourse on abortion rights.