Florida is set to implement a law that restricts abortions at six weeks of pregnancy, a time when a fetal heartbeat can be detected. This law comes after the Florida Supreme Court upheld a 15-week abortion restriction on April 1, which paved the way for the six-week limit to go into effect. The law, signed by Governor Ron DeSantis in April 2023, includes exceptions for cases of rape, incest, and when the life of the mother is at risk.
Florida has become a popular destination for abortions in the South, following the trend of other states in the region passing strict abortion restrictions. Before the Supreme Court decision in the Dobbs case, abortion was legal in Florida up to 24 weeks of pregnancy. In 2023, over 84,000 abortions were performed in Florida, with a significant number of women coming from out of state.
The Guttmacher Institute reported that Florida accounts for a high number of abortions in the South, with one in every three abortions taking place in the state. With the new abortion restrictions in place, women are less likely to travel from surrounding states to Florida for abortions.
The Florida Supreme Court’s decision also allows for a proposed amendment to appear on the ballot in November, which would enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution. This amendment, supported by various left-wing groups, would prevent the state from restricting abortions before viability or when necessary to protect the patient’s health.
President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign sees Florida as winnable due to its strategy around abortion issues. Former President Donald Trump’s strong lead in the state and the Republican voter registration advantage suggest a challenge for Democrats. Governor DeSantis welcomed the opposition’s spending on campaigning, expressing confidence in Republican victories in the upcoming election.
