This election day, some politicians in Maryland are attempting to enshrine the gravely immoral practice of abortion into our state Constitution. Vote “NO” on Maryland Question 1 to oppose this effort.

Since Roe v. Wade was overturned in 2022, individual states have had more ability to regulate abortion, and the Maryland General Assembly has put an amendment on the ballot to eliminate any meaningful restrictions on abortion in our state. Maryland Question 1, the Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment, would add a new article to the Declaration of Rights in the state constitution, claiming that every individual has the “fundamental right to reproductive freedom, including but not limited to the ability to make and effectuate decisions to prevent, continue, or end one's own pregnancy.”

As we vote on November 5, Marylanders should vote “NO” on Question 1. While supporters of Question 1 claim it is a matter of guarding reproductive freedom, it is essential to recognize that this amendment would prohibit any meaningful protections for unborn life in Maryland, paving the way to make abortion legal up until birth, without restriction.

Maryland law already allows abortion up until the point of viability – i.e., when the child can survive on its own outside the womb – which is generally considered to be about 24 weeks. Current law allows later abortions when the mother’s life or health is at risk or if the unborn child “is affected by genetic defect or serious deformity or abnormality.” Question 1, however, would make abortion a constitutional right in Maryland, limiting the state’s ability to provide any protections for the unborn. In other words, unborn children who can survive outside the womb will lose the little legal defense that they currently have in Maryland if Question 1 passes.

Contrary to popular opinion, abortion is not just a religious issue. Yes, Catholics and other religious groups are more likely to oppose legalized abortion than other groups, but opposition to abortion is a matter of justice, not of religion. Yes, Catholic social teaching makes it undeniably clear that every human life is sacred, but one does not need to be religious to recognize the rights of those who are unborn.

Whether you are Catholic or not, I urge you to vote “NO” on Question 1. Oppose the so-called “Right to Reproductive Freedom.” True freedom never includes the right to take an innocent life. Let us be a voice for the voiceless and work to build a culture that respects the dignity of all human life.

To read Cardinal Gregory’s remarks on Question 1, go to https://www.cathstan.org/voices/approaching-election-day-as-citizens-and-people-of-faith.

For more information from the Maryland Catholic Conference on Question 1, go to https://www.mdcatholic.org/parish-resources/voteno/.