County of Santa Clara Supports Efforts to Make Reproductive Freedom a Constitutional Right in California
SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CALIF.— The County of Santa Clara today expressed explicit support for a statewide effort to make reproductive freedom a fundamental right in California. The Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to support Proposition 1, a proposed amendment to the State’s Constitution that would ensure the right to an abortion and the right to choose or refuse contraceptives.
Proposition 1 is a direct response to the United States Supreme Court’s recent ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade, abandoning a long-established law that provides safe access to reproductive services. The proposed amendment will be on the ballot in November’s election and, if passed by voters, Proposition 1 would add the following language to Article 1 of the California State Constitution:
“The state shall not deny or interfere with an individual’s reproductive freedom in their most intimate decisions, which includes their fundamental right to choose to have an abortion and their fundamental right to choose or refuse contraceptives. This section is intended to further the constitutional right to privacy guaranteed by Section 1, and the constitutional right to not be denied equal protection guaranteed by Section 7. Nothing herein narrows or limits the right to privacy or equal protection.”
The following County leaders expressed their support:
Supervisor Mike Wasserman, President of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors: “As President of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors, I am proud of our Board’s unanimous vote to support women’s reproductive freedom and privacy rights. Access to reproductive services is a human right, and nobody should be fearful to receive the care they need.”
Supervisor Susan Ellenberg, Vice President of the Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors: “Santa Clara County will fulfill our commitment to provide care for and to protect women in our community, and Proposition 1 is essential to codify these commitments throughout the state. We will not get in the way of any person in this nation who seeks an abortion here and we will not back down from any threats against our sovereignty to do so.”
Supervisor Cindy Chavez, Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors: “The passage of Proposition 1 will codify that in California women are valued. California is on the offensive. We will only grow stronger.”
Supervisor Otto Lee, Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors: “I stand firmly in support of Proposition 1, and with every woman's right to reproductive freedom. As a father of three daughters, I was devastated to see millions of girls and women losing this basic freedom across America. As a retired Navy Commander, I understand just how fragile our freedoms are, and our responsibility to protect them. The County must affirm our support as reproductive rights are deeply important to achieve gender equality. I am honored to serve with a Board that shares these values, and that stands strongly with amending our state constitution to reaffirm protecting this fundamental right.”
Supervisor Joe Simitian, Santa Clara County Board of Supervisors: “The Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision is bad law. It’s also bad policy. I’m pleased that our County is pushing back with all the tools we have at our disposal. Our Board of Supervisors has a clear and continuing commitment to protecting the reproductive freedoms of our county residents.”
Jeffrey V. Smith, M.D., J.D., County Executive: “The best way to counter the U.S. Supreme Court’s harmful ruling is to declare explicitly that all persons in our state who need comprehensive reproductive care will receive it. The County of Santa Clara has always come to bat for its community members, particularly those most vulnerable, and this is no exception. We will continue fighting for equity and basic health care rights.”
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ABOUT THE COUNTY OF SANTA CLARA, CALIFORNIA
The County of Santa Clara government serves a diverse, multi-cultural population of 1.9 million residents in Santa Clara County, Calif., making it more populous than 14 states in the U.S. The County provides essential services to its residents, including public health protection, environmental stewardship, medical services through the County of Santa Clara Health System, child and adult protection services, homelessness prevention and solutions, roads, park services, libraries, emergency response to disasters, protection of minority communities and those under threat, access to a fair criminal justice system, and many other public benefits.
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Media Contact: María Leticia Gómez / Quan Vu, Office of Communications and Public Affairs, (408) 299-5119, [email protected]
Posted: August 16, 2022