Gubernatorial candidate Williams presents ‘reproductive freedom’ resolution to lawmakers

Huntington mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Steve Williams, seen here speaking to the West Virginia Legislature in April 2022, delivered to lawmakers a petition to add an abortion ballot measure on Monday, May 20, 2024. (Will Price | West Virginia Legislative Photography)

With a special legislative session underway, Huntington mayor and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Steve Williams on Monday delivered to lawmakers a petition to add an abortion ballot measure to the list of issues legislators will address.

The petition has 2,505 signatures, and asks Gov. Jim Justice to add reproductive rights to the special legislative agenda so that the Republican-led Legislature might approve putting a constitutional amendment “restoring reproductive freedom” on the ballot for West Virginia voters to decide.

The governor sets the agenda for bills during special legislative sessions. Justice on Friday issued a special session call with 15 pieces of budget-related legislation. Most of the proposals redirect funds to programming and budget lines that were either reduced or eliminated in the “skinny budget” passed by lawmakers in March. Reproductive rights was not on the list for Justice’s special session call.

According to the state constitution, lawmakers may propose and act on resolutions in either chamber during regular and special sessions.

Williams delivered the petition to Del. Sean Hornbuckle, whose district includes Huntington and who is the Democratic House minority leader for the House of Delegates. Hornbuckle will see to it that the petition is presented to the House Clerk, he said.

Hornbuckle said that Democrats and other West Virginians believe reproductive freedom is wanted. Democrats plan to try to get the issue brought up again during the special session.

During the regular legislative session earlier this year, Del. Kayla Young, D-Kanawha, and seven Democrat colleagues introduced legislation calling for a ballot measure to let voters decide whether a person has the right to “make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions,” including decisions related to contraception, fertility treatment, miscarriage care and abortion. The legislation got no traction.

“We just believe it’s time now to have the people of West Virginia decide if women should have reproductive health care freedom,” Hornbuckle said.

If it were introduced, the resolution would face an uphill battle. Republicans have had majority control in the West Virginia House of Delegates and the Senate since 2015. After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, the state Legislature passed an abortion ban with narrow exceptions.

In 2018, West Virginians narrowly passed a measure that added an anti-abortion amendment to the state constitution. Republican voter registrations in the state have grown by 27% over the last eight years.

Speaking to reporters Monday morning, Williams acknowledged the petition is not likely to result abortion being legal in the state, but he said it’s also making a statement.

“The fact of the matter is we know this issue of some sorts was on the ballot a few years ago but there is a significant population in our state — 52% of all voters in West Virginia are women, and everywhere I go women are saying we want our rights restored,” Williams said.

“Whether it happens by being placed on the agenda — one way or another freedom is going to be on the ballot whether it’s through a constitutional amendment or where every person who is up for a seat on the Legislature or for governor is going to have to speak to these female voters to say yes we support restoring your reproductive rights or we’re going to hold fast that you’re not worthy of receiving due consideration,” he said.

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