Gender & Sexuality Action Committee
Fact Sheet (PDF)

2024 Abortion State Ballot Measure

MARYLAND

Abortion Limit Under Current Law:
Fetal Viability

Maryland Question 1:
Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment

Summary: 

• Legislatively referred measure to amend the state constitution to:
  • Guarantee a right to reproductive freedom
  • Reproductive freedom includes the ability to prevent, continue, or end one’s own pregnancy 
  • Prevents the state from changing that right unless there is a compelling state interest achieved in the least restrictive way

Needs greater than 50% of votes to pass

• YES vote means: Supporting the addition of Article 48 into the constitution establishing a guaranteed right to reproductive freedom.
• NO vote means: Opposes amending the state constitution to establish a right to reproductive freedom.

Complete Ballot Text: 

Adding Article 48 to the Declaration of Rights 

1. That every person, as a central component of an individual’s right to liberty and equality, has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including but not limited to the ability to make and effectuate decisions to prevent, continue, or end one’s own pregnancy. The state may not, directly or indirectly, deny, burden, or abridge the right unless justified by a compelling state interest achieved by the least restrictive means.

Resources:

• Learn more about abortion policies in Maryland
• Learn more about the Maryland Ballot
• See KFF Ballot Tracker
• Get & Share the Facts on How Pregnancies Really Develop

Prepared by Sarah Osborn, AMSA Gender & Sexuality
Action Committee, Reproductive Justice Coordinator
9/22/24