FACT BRIEFDoes Nevada have more legal protections for abortion than California?
NO
Abortion is legal in California and Nevada, but it’s only enshrined in California’s constitution.
Californians approved a ballot measure in November 2022 adding abortion and contraception rights to the state constitution, with nearly 67% of voters in support.
Abortion in Nevada is legal up to 24 weeks into a pregnancy under a state law that can only be overturned via a ballot question. In 1990, voters approved a referendum prohibiting lawmakers from unilaterally amending or repealing the state law.
The Nevada Legislature this year passed SJR7, the first step in enshrining abortion rights in the constitution, where repeal would be more difficult. It must also pass the Legislature in 2025 and be approved by voters in 2026 to become part of the constitution.
An April poll from The Nevada Independent and Noble Predictive Insights found 62% of respondents supported adding abortion rights to Nevada’s constitution.
This Fact Brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
Nevada Independent Lawmakers pass abortion protections, putting them one step closer to Nevada Constitution
Center for Reproductive Rights After Roe Fell: Abortion Laws by State
Nevada Legislature SJR7 Overview
Ballotpedia California Proposition 1, Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment (2022)
Nevada Independent https://thenevadaindependent.com/article/poll-majority-of-nevadans-back-lottery-gun-control-abortion-protections-in-constitution
Ballotpedia Nevada Question 7, Abortion Legal to 24 Weeks Statute Referendum (1990)
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