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

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.