Abortion rights measure in Florida reaches signature threshold for 2024 ballot

A Florida ballot measure aimed at protecting abortion rights in the state has gotten enough signatures to qualify for the 2024 ballot, according to data the Florida Division of Elections published Friday.

The measure acquired 910,946 verified signatures, more than the approximately 890,000 needed to qualify. Floridians Protecting Freedom, the group pushing for the ballot measure, also acquired enough signatures in 17 of Florida’s 28 counties, when they needed 14 to qualify.

Hitting the mark moves the measure forward, setting up what is likely to be an intense legal battle over ballot initiative wording.

The issue is now headed for the state Supreme Court, which must rule on the specific wording that will be on the November ballot. A hearing is scheduled for Feb. 7. 

“The fact that we only launched our campaign eight months ago and we’ve already reached our petition goal speaks to the unprecedented support and momentum there is to get politicians out of our private lives and health care decisions,” Lauren Brenzel, campaign director for Floridians Protecting Freedom, said in a statement Friday. 

“Most initiative campaigns never make it this far,” she added. “The ones that do usually spend far more or take much longer to qualify, which is why we’re so confident that voters will approve our amendment once they’re given a chance to vote.”

The Florida Women’s Freedom Coalition, one of the groups affiliated with the ballot campaign, said it estimated about 150,000 people who’ve signed the petition are Republican voters.

Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody (R) has opposed the measure, and said in a November filing that advocates’ use of the term “viability” in the draft measure to determine when abortion care can be provided is meant to “hoodwink” voters.

If the court approves of the measure and finalizes wording, it would need 60 percent support at the ballot box to pass.

Florida currently has a strict abortion ban, preventing access to the procedure after 15 weeks. The ban is currently under scrutiny in the state Supreme Court.

Abortion rights ballot measures are likely to be a major part of the 2024 election, with activists in South Dakota, Arizona and Missouri also pursuing measures. Ohio passed an abortion rights ballot measure in November.

The proposed ballot measure reads as follows:

“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. This amendment does not change the Legislature’s constitutional authority to require notification to a parent or guardian before a minor has an abortion.”

Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried lauded the ballot measure in a statement Friday.

“We know what will happen if reproductive rights make it onto the ballot in 2024 — just like in every other state since Dobbs, Florida voters will choose to keep the government out of their healthcare decisions,” she said. “Florida is the next battleground in a wave of post-Dobbs movements to protect our freedoms, and the Florida Democratic Party stands ready to help get this movement across the finish line in November.”