Editorial: Abortion rights are already protected in Nevada

Democrats have pounded away at the abortion issue for the past two election cycles. And why not? It seems to work. Never mind that the extremism on the issue runs both ways.

What has increasingly become the default position for Democratic candidates — no restrictions on the procedure at all (legal abortion until birth) — occupies the fringes of public opinion alongside the outright ban favored by some conservatives.

At any rate, the matter is settled in Nevada. Abortion rights are already codified in state law, thanks to overwhelming voter approval in 1990 of a referendum that legalized abortion through the first two trimesters.

Yet here we have Question 6 on the November ballot. This proposal would amend the state constitution to establish “a permanent layer of protection” for abortion rights, according to supporters. But even the language of the referendum concedes that a “no” vote “would not impact the availability of abortion as a statutory right under Nevada law.”

It’s worth noting that the proposal could potentially make it easier for health care providers to perform third-trimester abortions. Those who wrote the “arguments for passage” don’t explicitly deny this. Proponents also argue that the amendment has “no fiscal or tax implications” despite fears that a constitutional right to abortion could be interpreted by progressive judges to mean that Nevada taxpayers must foot the bill. This is not idle speculation. Notably, the initiative includes a note from the Legislative Counsel Bureau stating that “the financial effect upon the state or local governments cannot be determined with any reasonable degree of certainty.”

The proposal also expands those who may legally perform an abortion beyond licensed physicians.

In truth, left-wing special-interest groups worked to place Question 6 on the ballot to accomplish a singular objective: To drive turnout, theoretically mobilizing Democrats and progressives in the November election. There’s nothing wrong with that, of course. Political parties and others routinely use the initiative process to give sympathetic voters another reason to head to the polls. Yet discerning Nevadans will remember that abortion rights are secure in this state regardless of how Question 6 fares.

Abortion rights are not in danger in Nevada. Question 6 is a vaguely worded, duplicative initiative that could have costly unintended consequences. The voters spoke loudly and clearly 34 years ago, and abortion remains protected in the Silver State. There is no need to support Question 6.