Abortion priority for women in this year's elections in Nevada

2024-10-20 22:00:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

Since the United States Supreme Court returned the issue of abortion to the states in 2022, Democrats have mobilized to protect abortion rights, while Republicans have worked to limit the procedure on religious and moral grounds. As VOA correspondent Katherine Gypson reports from Nevada, this issue is driving voter turnout.

Nevada voters aren't just deciding between presidential candidates Donald Trump and Kamala Harris. They will also vote for the "Sixth Question" legal initiative.

Laura Campbell is going door to door to seek support for this proposal, which she says is very important.

“Access to abortion actually saved my life more than once. I think this is important, because after the decision of the Supreme Court, the state must protect us", she says.

But voters like Deborah Costello of First Choice Pregnancy Services, a faith-based non-profit that provides alternatives to abortion, are worried about the possibility of passage of the proposal, which would make the right to abortion part of the Nevada constitution.

"The battle is very difficult. "Millions and millions of dollars in our state are supporting the abortion industry," she says.

In 1990 Nevada residents voted to make abortion legal up to the 24th week of pregnancy. But Democrats fear that a second Trump presidency could eliminate those rights, even though former President Trump says the issue should remain in the hands of the states. If the bill passes, the right to abortion would become part of the state constitution, making it more difficult to repeal.

"We have seen loss of life, abortion has been banned in twenty-two states. We don't want that to happen in Nevada," said Laura Campbell of the National Organization for Women.

Jessica Ponce deLeon will vote for the first time in this year's election. She planned to vote in favor of the abortion bill and for Democrat Kamala Harris before Ms. Campbell knocked on her door.

"The government should not interfere in women's body issues or other aspects of their health. Women should have full control over their bodies," she says.

Nevada is one of ten states this election year where voters will get to decide how and when abortion should be legal. In past election years, this issue has increased voter turnout that has benefited Democratic candidates.

Cristiane Mersch, a Brazilian immigrant who became pregnant in an abusive relationship and decided to keep the child, is a board member of the Nevada Right to Life organization.

"Without life there is no freedom, no other rights. If you don't respect life, there will be racism, human trafficking," she says.

While the abortion issue is motivating young voters, Emily Costello, who will vote for the first time this year, says minds can be changed and not all young voters will vote for Democrats.

"If you could see how devastating this is to just one human being, it would change your mind instantly, instantly," she says.

A nationwide poll released this week by the independent health organization KFF says a growing number of women cite abortion rights as their top issue since Kamala Harris became the Democratic nominee for president./ VOA