Proposition 1: Abortion

Proposition 1 is a constitutional referendum proposed by the California State Legislature following the United States Supreme Court’s 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision that grants states the right to decide abortion legality within their borders.

If passed, it would amend the California Constitution to expressly protect abortion legality. Individuals would be able to make reproductive care decisions—like choosing contraceptives or having an abortion—without the threat of state interference.

If Proposition 1 fails to pass, the state constitution would not be amended to specify the protection of reproductive rights. These rights, however, would continue to be protected under California law, which protects legal abortions up to the fetal viability in the uterus, where a fetus is likely to survive outside the uterus, and other reproductive rights. Funds allocated to expanding reproductive healthcare services for the 2022–2023 fiscal year would continue to be distributed.