Steve Williams Pushes for Referendum on Abortion Rights in West Virginia

Huntington Mayor Steve Williams, the Democratic candidate for governor, made a bold move today by delivering a petition with thousands of signatures to the state Capitol in an effort to push for a referendum on guaranteeing access to abortion and reproductive healthcare. With 2,500 signatures in hand, Williams stood firm in his belief that the issue needed to be addressed during the ongoing special legislative session.

Despite the unlikelihood of the referendum being added to the agenda by the current Republican governor, Jim Justice, Williams remained determined to keep pushing for the cause. He emphasized the importance of restoring constitutional rights for women, highlighting that 52% of all voters in West Virginia are women and deserve to have their voices heard.

In response, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, the Republican nominee for governor, expressed his unwavering support for life and families, promising to empower women and families with resources and support if elected. The debate over reproductive rights in West Virginia has been ongoing since the 2018 amendment that narrowly passed, stating that the state does not secure or protect a right to abortion.

Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs ruling in 2022, which left abortion policies to the states, several states have voted on abortion-related constitutional amendments, with the side favoring access to abortion prevailing in every state. West Virginia lawmakers have also passed bills restricting abortion, further fueling the debate on reproductive rights in the state.

Despite previous attempts to introduce legislation guaranteeing women the right to control their reproductive decisions, such efforts have not made significant progress. However, Williams and other advocates remain committed to the cause, vowing to continue pushing for reproductive healthcare freedom and allowing the people of West Virginia to decide on the matter.

House Minority Leader Sean Hornbuckle echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the importance of reproductive healthcare freedom and the need for the people of West Virginia to have a say in the matter. As the debate on reproductive rights continues to unfold in the state, it remains to be seen how the issue will resonate with voters and lawmakers alike.