Why Voting Yes on 4 in Florida is Critical for Women’s Rights

Whether you are a woman or someone with a woman in their life, this is a must read

Growing up in Finland, I’ve seen a very different approach to religion, politics, and personal rights as compared to the U.S.

In Finland, even though there is no strict separation between church and state, our education includes both the Lutheran religion and a broad study of other faiths. This has created a culture of religious open-mindness, where faith is kept private and moral judgments are not imposed on others’ beliefs or personal choices. In Finland, issues like abortion are treated as deeply personal decisions. It’s understood that the choice to have an abortion rests with the woman, without public controversy or political interference.

When I moved to the U.S., I was shocked by how politicized and divisive abortion has become. In Finland, it’s not a political battlefield, yet here, it’s one of the most heated issues in public discourse. This led me to investigate why abortion has become such a flashpoint in American politics, and what I found was both troubling and illuminating.

The Politicization of Abortion in America

Abortion wasn’t always such a divisive political issue in the U.S. In fact, it only became a central topic in political debates after conservative strategists needed a new way to mobilize voters. In the 1960s and 70s, race was often used to divide the electorate, particularly in the South, but as the Civil Rights Movement advanced, race-baiting became less politically acceptable. This is when many evangelical leaders, who had not previously focused heavily on abortion, began to make it a key issue.

Religious leaders and conservative politicians saw an opportunity to unite their base around the issue of abortion, framing it as a moral crusade rather than a personal decision. This shift transformed abortion into a political weapon that has been used to polarize the country ever since, manipulating voters through fear and moral panic. The consequences have been devastating, particularly for women’s rights.

In the U.S., the very notion of personal freedom—especially for women—has been steadily eroded by this political strategy. The most recent example is the rollback of abortion rights in Florida, where women now face one of the most restrictive laws in the country: a six-week abortion ban. The question we must ask ourselves is, how did a deeply personal, medical decision become a battleground for political control?

The Six-Week Ban: What Women Need to Know

One of the most alarming aspects of Florida’s current abortion law is how many young women are unaware of the severity of the restrictions they now face. Studies show that 85-90% of women don’t know they’re pregnant until after six weeks, according to research by the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG). This means that a vast majority of women affected by Florida's law would be denied the ability to make a timely decision about their pregnancy. The six-week ban means that most women, especially those with irregular cycles, may not even realize they are pregnant until after the window for a legal abortion has closed.

This law leaves women with few choices: either travel out of state to seek an abortion, often at great personal and financial costs, or carry the pregnancy to term against their wishes. A study published by the Guttmacher Institute found that about 29% of women in states with restrictive abortion laws were forced to travel an average of 125 miles or more to access abortion services. For many, this is financially and logistically impossible.

Older Women and the Reality of Late Pregnancies

The issue doesn’t just affect young women. Imagine being in your 50s—an age where many women are still menstruating, though perhaps irregularly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that the rate of pregnancy among women aged 40-44 has been rising, with births among women aged 45 and older increasing by 3% in 2020. This reality makes Florida's restrictive abortion laws disproportionately harmful for older women who may not discover their pregnancy until it’s too late.

Should women in this situation really be forced to carry a pregnancy to term simply because of the state’s restrictive laws? Imagine reaching a point in life where you’ve worked hard to build your career and independence, only to have the government—driven by politicians like Ron DeSantis—decide that you must carry an unexpected pregnancy to term. Would you be comfortable having politicians dictate such a deeply personal and potentially life-altering decision?

Countering Misconceptions

It's also critical to address a common misconception: abortion is not, and should never be, used as contraception. While some claim that women use abortion irresponsibly, this misrepresents the seriousness of the procedure. The Guttmacher Institute reports that less than 1% of women use abortion as a method of contraception. The vast majority of women seek abortions due to rape, incest, financial constraints, relationship issues, or health concerns.

Why We Must Vote Yes on 4 in Florida

As the November election approaches, the urgency of voting Yes on 4 in Florida cannot be overstated. This ballot initiative is about restoring a woman’s right to choose in Florida, giving women back the autonomy that has been stripped away by political manipulation. Abortion should never have been turned into a political weapon. It is a deeply personal medical decision, one that should remain between a woman and her doctor, not dictated by politicians or religious crusaders.

The stakes are high—not just for women’s rights, but for the broader principle of personal freedom. We need to wake up to the reality of what is happening in Florida and across the U.S. Women's rights are going backward, and this has been driven by decades of deliberate political manipulation designed to divide us.

Grassroots movements have already been pushing back. Across Florida, local activists, women’s health advocates, and community organizations are working tirelessly to educate voters and rally support for Yes on 4. These efforts are critical to overcoming political manipulation and ensuring that every Floridian understands the high stakes of this election.

As a County Commissioner, I would not legislate policy that directly affects abortion rights. However, I can use my platform to amplify the voices of local activists and grassroots efforts, advocating for women's rights and making sure every voter understands the importance of this ballot measure. We all have a responsibility to protect personal freedoms, and a Yes vote on 4 is a crucial step in that direction.

Sources:

- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) on Six-Week Abortion Ban: https://www.acog.org/news/news-articles/2022/08/statement-on-six-week-abortion-ban-taking-effect-in-florida

- Guttmacher Institute: Understanding Abortion Divides in the U.S.: https://www.guttmacher.org/article/2021/10/understanding-abortion-divides-united-states

- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Birth Statistics: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/births.htm

- Guttmacher Institute on Contraception and Abortion: https://www.guttmacher.org/evidence-you-can-use/contraception-abortion