Virginia passes ‘reproductive freedom’ ballot measure

Virginia voters passed a “reproductive freedom” ballot measure Tuesday, enshrining current protections — including abortion — into the state constitution, Decision Desk HQ projects.

The amendment puts protections for abortion, birth control, and in-vitro fertilization into the state constitution. It also protects fertility care, pregnancy-related care, and miscarriage care.

The amendment makes abortion legal up to the third trimester, at which point the procedure is only allowed if the fetus is not viable or a physician considers an abortion necessary to protect the health of the fetus or mother.

Virginia is the only state in the south not to ban abortion at or before 12 weeks of pregnancy.