Understanding Amendment 1:

Furthermore, your votes will serve as a “yes” or “no” on four amendments to the state constitution. Each one is colored in legislative jargon that can be hard to break down.

However, it is crucial for voters to understand Amendment 1. If passed, it will add language to the state constitution that would allow our legislators the power “to enact, amend or repeal statutes regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or when necessary to save the life of the mother."

You can’t make this stuff up.

Over the past few weeks, I’ve been amazed by the number of students on campus who have absolutely no idea what Amendment 1 is or the ramifications of it. In nearly every class, there have been multiple people who weren’t aware the general election was approaching (heads up, it’s Nov. 4) or that early voting began weeks ago. My favorite comment came from a peer who didn’t know why Tennessee was even holding an election. Since President Obama has served two consecutive terms, he didn’t understand how he could be re-elected for a third term. Sheesh.

I digress.

For those of you, who like me, have spent the past several weeks commuting from home to school to work, you may have seen the giant “Vote Yes on Amendment 1” sign plastered on Bellevue Baptist Church’s lawn. You may have also seen the “Vote No” signs displayed at smaller churches and homes. It just depends if you live in Midtown or a suburban area, really.

But no matter where you rest your head at night—and no matter where you stand on abortion—Amendment 1 is bad news. It isn’t about being for abortion rights or against abortion rights. It’s about keeping a private, medical decision between a woman and her doctor and out of the hands of government officials with partisan influence.

When I drive past houses and churches with “yes” signs front and center on their lawns, I always want to stop and ask if they really know what they are saying yes to come next week. Don’t get me wrong, abortion is a heated issue with passionate beliefs on both sides, but that doesn’t justify the language proposed in Amendment 1.

Currently, there is no law that requires a woman to have an abortion in the case of an unplanned pregnancy, rape or incest. However, for women seeking abortions, the Tennessee constitution provides some of the greatest privacy protection in the country.

Many people argue that Tennessee is an “abortion destination.” I don’t see this as a bad thing. For the same reason that families bring their children to St. Jude, women come to our state seeking help because, here, they can find possibly the best service available to them in the country. Even more so since amendments similar to Amendment 1 have shut down clinics in other states, making it nearly impossible for women to find medical care.

Those who favor abortion rights—and many of those who do not—agree that the level of protection for abortion in Tennessee is higher than that allowed by the federal courts. However, to say that abortion is not regulated in our state is simply not true.

In Tennessee, all first trimester abortions can only be performed with a woman’s consent and after being advised by her doctor. After the first trimester and before viability, an abortion must be performed in a hospital. After viability, an abortion can only be performed in order to save a woman’s life or if her health is at risk. Furthermore, abortion clinics have requirements to report to The Tennessee Health Department, and minors must have parental consent prior to receiving an abortion.

So, when you line up to vote on Nov. 4, no matter where you stand on abortion rights, I’d like you to think about what it is you are saying “yes” to when you vote on Amendment 1.

If you don’t believe in abortion, there is good news—you don’t have to get one. But don’t let the male majority on Nashville’s Capitol Hill make these medical decisions for a woman. More importantly, don’t let them strip the right from her altogether.