It’s June of 2022 and I sit on my couch, scrolling through headline upon headline detailing the overturning of Roe v. Wade. The decision certainly didn’t come as much of a surprise, I had been listening to the news for a while, but I still understand the magnitude of the crucial ruling. However, I must confess that life for me continued as normal after the significant turning point in the freedom of America. As a California resident, my right to an abortion is protected by the Reproductive Privacy Act, so the impacts of the Supreme Court’s decision didn’t seem to impact me that much, however, this is not the case for millions of other women in America.
In 2023, Texas resident Kate Cox was pregnant, however, the fetus was diagnosed with a deadly genetic condition, trisomy 18. Cox requested an exemption from the state’s ban on abortions, citing the exclusion for mothers who are “at risk of death.” Even after four trips to the emergency room, risks of uterine rupture, elevated vitals, and a dwindling chance of fertility in the future, a Texas court ruled against her plea, arguing her doctor did not establish that the pregnancy was life-threatening.
This lack of self-autonomy is the reality for many pregnant American women. As election day approaches, abortion, along with many other individual liberties, is one of the most pressing issues on the ballot. While political matters are often seen as either Democratic or Republican, many liberal voters have voiced that they will be voting third-party this election. In 2000 and 2016 (when third-party candidates did relatively well), the popular vote did not match the Electoral College vote. Moreover, many vote for third parties because one policy of a major candidate does not align with their values. In an election with democracy at stake, this could be a major liability for Democrats.
So how does my experience after the overturning of Roe v. Wade, this election, and single-issue voters all intertwine? As a person living in a Democratic state, I’ve had the privilege of not experiencing the misogynistic policies that women in conservative states do. People like me don’t have to worry as much that their individual rights will be encroached on, allowing more flexibility in who they vote for. The same freedoms are not afforded to marginalized groups in red states, and narrowing the victory margin between parties puts many at risk.