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Sophie Warren of Scarborough represents District 124 in the Maine House of Representatives.
Prior to the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade almost two years ago, I had never known a world where reproductive freedom wasn’t protected.
But, since June 2022, I’ve witnessed an onslaught of states across the country passing laws that cruelly punish those simply seeking and receiving the sometimes life-saving abortion care services they need. Over 20 states have enacted bans or near total bans on abortion, and one in three women have lost the right to abortion in their home state.
Shortly following the Supreme Court’s decision, I wrote a column for the Portland Press Herald, recommitting myself to protecting and strengthening reproductive rights for all Mainers. I intend to make good on that promise, as long as I serve in the Maine Legislature, whenever an opportunity presents itself.
That’s why I recently joined Maine state Sen. Eloise Vitelli at a public hearing on her constitutional amendment to protect personal reproductive autonomy. I am proud to be the lead cosponsor in the House and to be part of such an important fight, particularly on Roe Day — the anniversary of the historic decision by our Supreme Court once thought to be “settled law.”
Here in Maine, we have been lucky that reproductive rights have largely remained protected following the Dobbs decision in 2022. However, some may not know many of the rights afforded to them in our state, and laws that can change with a new Legislature or governor are not guaranteed past the next election.
Vitelli’s constitutional amendment would provide even stronger protections and make it even more difficult for politicians to restrict our rights and freedoms in the future by enshrining our autonomy in the Maine Constitution.
Mainers across party lines have long shared a belief in the right to reproductive freedom. In 1994, we enshrined into law, signed by a Republican governor, guaranteed access to abortion services in most circumstances. Since then, Mainers have repeatedly voiced loudly and clearly that our government should not have control over women’s bodies, regardless of the political makeup of our Legislature.
And Mainers showed their unwavering support for the amendment during an hours-long public hearing, reiterating their support to make their own informed decisions about their reproductive care, alongside their physician, not their lawmaker.
With federal protections for abortion gone, state-level protections for reproductive liberties are vital. Right now, we have strong laws in place, and we believe our state constitution as written protects fundamental reproductive rights. However, this amendment would make it even more explicit, enshrining Mainers’ fundamental belief that reproductive rights are human rights.
This amendment is not radical, but it will certainly take courage for many of my colleagues to give Maine people the right to decide for themselves at the ballot box. So let’s let Mainers decide what is best for them and their families. I trust in their decision-making, and I urge my colleagues in the Legislature to do so as well.
It is time for the Legislature to pass this amendment, get out of the way and give Maine people the opportunity to vote to enshrine these critical protections once and for all.
