Fellow activist,
Today, on what should be the 52nd anniversary of Roe v. Wade, we have some important news.
This November, reproductive health care will be on the ballot here in Pennsylvania as three of the Democratic PA Supreme Court Justices will be up for retention – Christine Donahue, Kevin Dougherty, and David Wecht. Republicans in Pennsylvania have one goal: erasing the Democrats' 5-2 advantage on the Pennsylvania Supreme Court so they can further strip away our rights.
Here’s why this matters:
While abortion is currently protected up to 24 weeks of pregnancy in PA with restrictions, it is not enshrined in the PA state constitution, which means it can be banned or limited at any time.
However, according to an article published by Pittsburgh City Paper, around this time last year, there was a court ruling (Allegheny Reproductive Health Center v. Pennsylvania Department of Human Services) that challenged one of the restrictions. The PA Supreme Court overturned a precedent and ruled that the state’s Medicaid program refusing to cover abortion is sex discrimination.
This case “marked the first time a state Supreme Court decision impacted abortion rights after Dobbs, paving a new way to protect reproductive rights including abortion through state-level Equal Rights Amendments.”
This case is vulnerable, and it’s critical that we maintain control of the PA Supreme Court in order to protect our rights.
Despite what’s at stake, judicial races often get little attention. But this race is already shaping up to draw national attention and will attract dark money funders like PA’s richest man, Jeffrey Yaas. It will take all hands on deck to protect our rights. Help fund our 2025 civic education and engagement programs by donating $25 or whatever you can today.
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