LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS WEIGH IN ON SUPREME COURT ROE V. WADE DECISION

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 Local elected officials weigh in on Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision 

By Derrell Green
Citizen’s Intern

The United States Supreme Court has overturned Roe v. Wade. In the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, Justices ruled in a 6-3 vote to uphold the Mississippi abortion law, and Roe v. Wade was overturned with a vote of 5-4.

The ruling sent women and men across the country into panic. Thousands of viral social media posts cry out to the government to take action to continue to protect women’s reproductive rights. And in opposition to those posts, thousands more viral tweets thanked the SCOTUS for their ruling.

Even more, citizens started to ask what to do next and how to move forward. As a result of the ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, states now have the constitutional right to limit or expand women's reproductive rights. Missouri banned nearly all abortions on the day Roe v. Wade was overturned.

It is now clear that the fate of women’s reproductive rights now falls into the hands of state legislators. Thankfully, in the state of Illinois, women's reproductive rights are protected. The Reproductive Health Act states that women have the "fundamental right" to access abortion services and that a "fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent rights."

And not to worry, the state of Illinois doesn't seem to be changing its position any time soon. State Legislator Ford stated, "I joined Democrats in taking decisive action in Illinois to remove dangerous trigger provisions in our laws to ensure that the right to choose remains safe, legal, and accessible in our state. I backed these efforts, and I remain supportive of ongoing, meaningful action to protect access to reproductive health.”

It is now clear that the fate of women’s reproductive rights now falls into the hands of state legislators. Thankfully, in the state of Illinois, women's reproductive rights are protected. The Reproductive Health Act states that women have the "fundamental right" to access abortion services and that a "fertilized egg, embryo, or fetus does not have independent rights."

Unfortunately, this is not the same for all states. Now more than ever is the time to participate in local and state elections. With Illinois Congresswoman Robin Kelly stating, "The reality is, that the Dobbs v. Jackson decision will result in women’s right to abortion being decided by state legislatures. The right to abortion is enshrined in Illinois state law. Many women in our neighboring states will lose access to this right. It’s critical that every eligible voter participates in all elections—local level, state level, federal elections, and primaries. "

One of the fundamental duties of an American citizen is to vote. Local and state elections have always been important. Because, as stated in the 10 amendments, the powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively.

State legislators were able to decide on standardized testing, the allocation of state funds to low-income programs, and now women's reproductive rights. We got a taste of how powerful state governments are during the early stages of the pandemic when certain states set ordinances that other states did not.

So, everyone is encouraged to vote in small elections, state and local. The only way to get your voice heard is to vote and to move people out of power that are not in alignment with the majority. Because currently, the majority of people are not the majority of voters, and it is starting to show in our government.

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