NAPLES, Fla — As pro-abortion and anti-abortion activists debated outside their chambers, Collier County Commissioners voted Tuesday to take a symbolic stance against an amendment that could expand abortion access in Florida.
The all-male governing body voted to formally oppose Amendment 4, a "Right to Abortion" initiative is set to appear on the ballot for Florida voters in the November general election.
Tuesday's vote had no impact on the ballot measure, but Commissioner Rick LoCastro said it expresses their "moral stance." He said voters could still "vote their conscience."
Abortion rights advocates were very concerned, even with a vote deemed symbolic. "I am outraged, I really am," said Jane Schlechtweg, chair of the Democratic Party in Collier County.
She argued that this vote goes against the county's past commitments to protect health freedom.
"In 2023, they passed an ordinance saying that people had the right to choose. They protected the liberties of the citizens of Collier County and now they're saying that no, citizens don't have the right to choose," Schlechtweg explained.
Meanwhile, advocates who oppose abortion argue Amendment 4 is extremely vague and harmful to women. If passed, the measure would establish a constitutional right to abortion "before fetal viability."
"Amendment 4, the language is very deceptive because it sort of puts forward this idea of women's medical freedom when in fact what it does is strip the legislature of all ability to regulate in any way this money-making industry of abortion," said Kristina Heuser, a civil rights attorney and pro-life advocate.
In order for it to pass, Amendment 4 would need a 60% vote.
"Amendment 4 does not promote abortion... Amendment 4 only protects the woman's right to choose," Schlechtweg added.
Despite Collier County leaders making their stance clear, May polling from the Florida Chamber of Commerce suggests about 61% of Florida voters support expanding abortion rights.
