West Virginia voters are projected to approve a measure on Tuesday’s ballot to change the state’s constitution to outlaw abortion and prohibit any funding from covering abortions.
The successful amendment could come into play if the Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, the 1973 court ruling that made abortion a constitutional right. If the court does overturn Roe, then the issue of abortion would be left to states. Anti-abortion advocates are bullish on the chances of overturning Roe after the confirmation of conservative Justice Brett Kavanaugh.
The Associated Press projected that the ballot measure will succeed by 51 percent to 48 percent.
The West Virginia restriction on abortion funding is similar to a federal ban that is included in every congressional spending bill that prohibits federal funds from going to cover abortions.
The amendment became a major topic in the state’s hotly contested Senate race. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., came out during a debate last week against the amendment because it did not include exceptions for rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother.
Manchin beat his opponent, Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, 49 percent to 46 percent, according to the Associated Press.
