November 7th, 2018 by WCBC Radio

Voters in Alabama and West Virginia approved ballot questions Tuesday that add amendments to their state constitutions restricting abortion.

Alabama’s language would “recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children.”  Opponents said the effect is to give a fetus the same rights as a born person.

The constitutional amendment also declares the state “does not protect the right to abortion or require the funding of abortion.”

In West Virginia, voters approved similar wording to the state constitution, declaring nothing in it “secures or protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of abortion.”

Opponents contend it would restrict Medicaid funding of abortions in West Virginia even when they are considered medically necessary. Critics fear the amendment will also lead to more restrictions on safe abortions.

In both states, the ballot questions were prompted by expectations the current conservative majority on the  U.S. Supreme Court will reverse the landmark 1973 decision in Roe vs. Wade legalizing abortion.