This November, abortion rights might be up for a vote in nearly a quarter of states, sparking concerns among advocates about funding major campaigns in each one.
Advocates Scramble in Key States
Activists from Arkansas to Arizona are scrambling for funds, trying to secure backing from national groups to safeguard rights in state constitutions. The challenge? Resources are spread thin, especially as donors who funded ballot campaigns post-Roe v. Wade shift focus to presidential and congressional races.
Democrat Hopes
This funding crunch is creating tension among abortion-rights groups in various states, from those with near-total bans to those where rights are at risk, all while Democrats hope robust abortion access campaigns will boost voter turnout and aid Biden and congressional candidates.
Funding Crisis
Deirdre Schifeling of the ACLU admits the crisis: while they’d like to expand their efforts, the high cost and need for precise strategy limit where they can successfully campaign.
Heavy Investment
Key organizations like the ACLU, Planned Parenthood, and others are set to invest heavily this year to embed abortion rights in state constitutions.
Tough Choices
Facing tough choices, these groups told POLITICO they’re assessing the potential impact of their funding, considering factors like ballot measure content, political challenges, polling data, and the 2024 election impact.
Groups receiving less funding face hurdles in collecting signatures, countering GOP opposition, and swaying voters.
‘No one’s coming to save us’
Gennie Diaz of For AR People, leading Arkansas’ campaign, stresses the urgency: without significant funding, ‘women will die in this state.’ Despite needing substantial backing, they’ve only raised $30,000 from small donors so far.
Restrictive Measures
Progressive groups are steering clear of Arkansas’ ballot measure, deeming it too restrictive as it proposes abortion protection only up to 20 weeks, a deviation from Roe’s 24-week standard.
Major Funding Influx
Arizona, with its uncertain abortion laws and political significance, has attracted over $5.8 million from various national organizations, including the Fairness Project and Think Big America.
Nevada, despite its legal abortion status and a later-effective amendment, has still received $1.8 million.
Dual Strategy
Think Big America’s Mike Ollen emphasizes a dual strategy of supporting ballot measures and preventing a national abortion ban by influencing congressional control.
He assures that his organization, will also “work to ensure anti-choice politicians do not gain control of both chambers of Congress.”
Funding and Politics
Despite past abortion referendums not consistently boosting Democratic candidates, activists caution against overly politicizing funding decisions.
Abortion Funding Hotspots
Colorado and Florida, though not key 2024 election states, are important abortion access points for neighboring states with restrictive laws, raising over $1.3 million and $17 million respectively.
Countering Restrictive Bans
Colorado’s initiative aims to constitutionalize abortion rights and fund them, while Florida’s seeks to counteract both its 15-week and potential 6-week bans.
The Funding Question
The fate of many pro-abortion-rights campaigns hinges on summer’s signature collections and legal clearances, prompting national groups to consider adjusting their funding strategies.
Florida’s High Stakes
In Florida, while groups like the Fairness Project await the state Supreme Court’s decision, others like Tides Foundation and Planned Parenthood invest heavily, recognizing Florida’s critical role in regional abortion access.
Low Funding Priority
Arkansas and South Dakota, with their near-total abortion bans, rank low on the priority list for major organizations like Planned Parenthood and the Fairness Project, due to their ballot measures being seen as limited in scope.
POLITICO reports these groups find the proposals lacking in alignment with their values.
Ideology vs. Practicality
Activists like Diaz in these conservative states argue that broader measures wouldn’t be feasible there. They face a dilemma: strive for ideological perfection or seek immediate, albeit limited, improvements in access.
No National Funding
Despite their belief in the significant impact of their proposals, they’ve received no national funding, relying on small donations for essential campaign aspects.
Rural States’ Struggle
Adam Weiland of Dakotans for Health highlights the struggle of gaining attention in rural states facing severe abortion restrictions.
“The challenge when you’re in one of these more obscure rural states is getting people to actually care and realize that we have people out here that are suffering under one of the most extreme abortion bans in the whole country,” he said.
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