Abortion Policy, Law & Politics

Virginia is holding a significant election with constitutional amendments on abortion and marriage that have drawn opposition from Catholic bishops and over 200 pastors, who warn the ballot language is deceptive and designed to punish dissenters and boost Democrats. In Ohio, two key races are considered toss-ups, including a Senate special election and the governor's race, with data centers and immigration issues prominent, while in Texas, the Senate race between Ken Paxton and James Talarico is close, with controversies around Talarico's religious affiliations and local concerns about visas, data centers, and mosque construction influencing conservative voters.

Virginia voters will decide on Amendment 1, a constitutional amendment that enshrines abortion-on-demand through all nine months of pregnancy and removes the current parental consent requirement for minors seeking abortions. The amendment's language grants "an individual's right to reproductive freedom," which includes minors obtaining abortions without parental knowledge or consent, raising concerns about parental rights and medical transparency.

Virginia pro-life leaders, including Olivia Gans Turner of the Virginia Society for Human Life, are urging voters to reject Ballot Question 1 during early voting, warning that the amendment would override existing laws protecting unborn children and women. Turner emphasized that the amendment, which would allow abortions up to birth, is misleadingly worded and would eliminate the state's ability to enact protective laws, while medical professionals opposing the measure are being encouraged to sign a letter against it.

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington, Virginia, urged the faithful to pray, fast, and vote no on two proposed constitutional amendments that would guarantee access to abortion and remove the state's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of Arlington has called on Catholics in his diocese to engage in a month of prayer and fasting in October to oppose two constitutional amendments on the Virginia ballot that would expand abortion rights and redefine marriage. He also directed priests to read a letter urging a 'No' vote on Ballot Questions 1 and 2, describing these measures as 'radically unjust' and warning that supporting them could be a grave moral offense with eternal consequences.

Two different views on Amendment 1, the abortion/reproductive health amendment on Virginia’s ballot    Cardinal News

A group of over 175 Virginia pastors, mainly from Baptist and Presbyterian churches, have signed a letter urging voters to reject proposed constitutional amendments that would enshrine abortion access and same-sex marriage in the state constitution. The pastors argue that Amendment 1 would make abortion a fundamental right with limited exceptions and criticize chemical abortions for their risks, while opposing Amendment 2 for redefining marriage beyond a union between one man and one woman as outlined in Scripture.

More than 200 Virginia pastors have signed a letter urging voters to reject two proposed constitutional amendments: one enshrining abortion rights and another removing the ban on same-sex marriage. The letter, inspired by a Catholic campaign and spreading through word of mouth among clergy, argues that these amendments harm the state and contradict biblical teachings.

More than 200 pastors in Virginia have signed a pastoral letter urging voters to reject two proposed constitutional amendments: one that would enshrine the right to abortion into the state constitution and another that would remove the ban on same-sex marriage. The letter, inspired by a similar Catholic campaign, argues that these amendments harm the state and contradict biblical teachings, and it is spreading among church leaders as early voting proceeds in the state.

More than 150 Virginia pastors signed an open letter urging voters to reject two proposed state constitutional amendments: one that would enshrine abortion as a fundamental right throughout pregnancy, and another that would remove the ban on same-sex marriage and allow any two adults to marry. The pastors argued that abortion destroys human life and that marriage is defined by God as the union of one man and one woman, urging Virginians to vote no on both amendments for the good of the Commonwealth and in accordance with their religious beliefs.

More than 125 Virginia pastors from around the state have signed an open letter urging voters to reject two proposed constitutional amendments on abortion and marriage in the November 3 election. The pastors oppose Question 1, which would expand abortion access and eliminate parental consent, and Question 2, which would redefine marriage to include same-sex couples, citing biblical teachings and concerns about societal harm.

Virginia voters will decide in November whether to amend the state constitution to enshrine abortion as a fundamental right under the term 'reproductive freedom,' which includes abortion, prenatal care, childbirth, contraception, miscarriage management, and fertility care. The proposed amendment would allow a single physician to authorize third-trimester abortions based on the woman's physical or mental health without requiring the threat to be 'substantial and irremediable' or the agreement of two additional physicians, differing from current Virginia law.

Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington instructed priests in all 70 parishes to read his letter opposing Virginia's Question 1 abortion amendment aloud at Masses, urging Catholics to pray, fast, and vote against it. Some Catholics avoided attending Mass in the diocese that weekend to not hear the message, but Burbidge and Bishop Barry Knestout warned the amendment would allow abortion up to birth and urged opposition despite significant financial support for the amendment's proponents.

A study by Do No Harm found that states banning gender-transition procedures for minors show no increase in teen suicide rates, challenging claims that such restrictions harm youth mental health. The Virginia abortion amendment on the ballot contains vague language that could be interpreted to protect access to gender-transition treatments for minors, including sterilization, potentially increasing such procedures without parental consent.

Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington is urging Catholics to fast on Fridays in October and vote against two constitutional amendments on abortion and marriage appearing on the November 3 ballot in Virginia. He has directed priests to read a letter during Masses opposing the amendments, which would expand abortion access and redefine marriage, and has led prayer efforts while acknowledging both support and criticism from parishioners.

Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington is urging Catholics to fast on Fridays in October and vote against Virginia ballot questions that would expand abortion access and redefine marriage. He has directed priests to read a letter during Masses encouraging opposition to these amendments, emphasizing prayer, fasting, and voting as essential actions to protect unborn life and traditional marriage definitions.

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge of the Arlington diocese in Virginia urged Catholics to vote no on a constitutional amendment that would create a legal right to unregulated abortion at any time during pregnancy and extend abortion rights to minors without parental involvement.

Virginia currently allows abortion up to birth, and a new constitutional amendment on the ballot would further protect the distribution of abortion pills to minors and others without parental rights or medical oversight. The amendment is criticized for removing duties of care from abortion providers and potentially increasing risks to vulnerable girls and women, while also immunizing abortion agencies from liability for medical malpractice.

Virginia voters to decide on abortion rights, marriage equality and felon voting in 3 constitutional amendments    WSLS

Virginia Democrats have advanced a constitutional amendment to enshrine abortion rights up to birth, which is opposed by thousands of Catholics including Bishop Michael Burbidge who called the amendment extreme and harmful to mothers and minors. The amendment would protect abortion as a fundamental right and remove parental roles in abortion decisions for minors, while pro-abortion groups argue it safeguards reproductive freedom without government interference.

The Virginia constitution shouldn’t be amended to insulate doctors from all liability for pushing abortions and transgender surgeries on minors.

Early voting for the 2026 midterm elections began in Virginia on September 18, featuring three state constitutional amendments placed on the ballot by the Democrat-controlled legislature. These amendments include enshrining abortion through the end of pregnancy as a state constitutional right, removing the definition of marriage as between a man and a woman to include same-sex and gender identity considerations, and automatically restoring voting rights to convicted felons upon completion of their sentences.

In November, voters in Idaho, Missouri, Nevada, and Virginia will decide on abortion-related ballot initiatives that could either protect or expand abortion rights in their states. These measures include Idaho's Proposition 1 to create a right to abortion, Missouri's Amendment 3 to repeal the constitutional right to abortion, Nevada's Question 6 to establish a constitutional right to abortion, and Virginia's reproductive freedom amendment allowing abortion at any point in pregnancy with a broad health exception.

Virginia Democrats have proposed a constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights, including personal decisions about prenatal care and abortion access, which will appear on the November ballot. Catholic leaders from the Dioceses of Arlington and Richmond have strongly opposed the amendment, urging their congregations to vote no, citing concerns about the health and safety of mothers, parental rights, and the sanctity of marriage.

Virginia Bishop Michael Burbidge directed priests in the Diocese of Arlington to read a letter at every Sunday Mass urging Catholics to vote 'no' on two proposed amendments to the state constitution that would broaden abortion access and introduce gender ideology. He described the amendments as 'radically unjust,' emphasizing the threats they pose to the sacredness of human life and traditional marriage, and encouraged participation in the 'Catholics Vote No' campaign to oppose these measures.