May 4, 2022 - Politics

Ballot effort to enshrine abortion rights in Michigan constitution sees volunteer spike

A petition is signed during Reproductive Freedom for All's launch event for volunteer signature gatherers in March. Photo: TJ Samuels for the ACLU of Michigan

An effort to codify abortion protections in the Michigan constitution has seen its volunteer ranks skyrocket since Monday night.

By the numbers: Reproductive Freedom for All added roughly 900 volunteers in less than 24 hours.

  • It previously had around 2,000 total volunteers, according to Dana Chicklas, spokesperson for the American Civil Liberties Union of Michigan, a partner in the project.
  • "I think in the last 24 hours or so we’ve seen [support] just explode exponentially,” said Sommer Foster, co-executive director of Michigan Voices, another coalition partner.
  • "Unfortunately, it takes a horrific draft decision leak to have people see what’s happening," Chicklas added.

What’s next: The coalition has until July 11 to collect more than 425,000 signatures.

  • That’s the main focus — in addition to educating folks on their rights when it comes to abortion, and how those may change later this year.
  • If successful, the proposal would go on the November ballot, and should it pass, go into effect 45 days later.
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