Voters in Virginia will see the most radical pro-abortion measure of this election on their ballot. Not only would it enshrine a “right” to abortion in our state constitution, but it would also have wide-ranging impacts on health standards for women and parental rights.

The language of Ballot Question 1 is written to mislead voters who are skimming the text for the first time in the voting booth. The fact is that the intentionally vague language of this bill will expand Virginia’s already expansive abortion laws and make it nearly impossible for any restrictions against abortion to stand in court, even those specifically tailored to protect women’s safety.

Here’s the full text of Ballot Question 1:

“Should the Constitution of Virginia be amended to (i) protect the freedom to make personal decisions about prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion, miscarriage management, and fertility care; (ii) protect doctors, nurses, and patients from being punished for these decisions; and (iii) allow for restrictions on access to abortion during the third trimester of pregnancy except when the patient's health is at risk or the pregnancy cannot survive?”

As a Virginian, it’s beyond grotesque that our state constitution would even mention abortion — the brutal killing of an unborn human life. Nonetheless, pro-abortion advocates are asking voters to “protect the freedom” to destroy innocent unborn lives. But this language goes further — it will make it extremely difficult to enforce any safety standards when it comes to abortion.

The broad language poses a clear threat to the health and safety of women by allowing completely unregulated abortions to be carried out, even by unlicensed individuals. Dr. Timothy Boley with Virginia Medical Professionals for Women’s Safety writes that Amendment 1 would “result[] in unregulated abortions potentially by unlicensed individuals or those without proper training throughout the entire pregnancy.” Thus, making legal “the equivalent of what used to be called ‘back-alley abortions.’”

In addition, the Virginia Family Foundation has raised awareness about how Amendment 1 would eradicate the right of parents to consent to, or be informed about, their young child’s invasive abortion surgery. The amendment language leaves no room for parental consent.

The sad reality is that Virginia’s current laws are already extremely permissive. Abortion is allowed within the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. It is also legal in the third trimester if three doctors certify that continuing the pregnancy is likely to “result in the death of the woman or substantially and irremediably impair the mental or physical health of the woman.” If passed, the new amendment would simply make it easier to have late-term abortions, including for reasons like claims of anxiety and depression.

As many as 40,000 abortions took place in Virginia last year. Yet pro-abortion activists hysterically claim that “without Amendment 1, Virginia’s [abortion] protections could disappear.” That’s simply a lie. The truth is that Virginia’s abortion laws are already extremely permissive, and they are far from being at risk. Virginia currently has a Democratic trifecta: they have the state House, the state Senate, and a far-left governor in Abigail Spanberger.

Sadly, Virginia is unlikely to become a pro-life state anytime soon. But we should still prevent things from getting worse. As a constitutional amendment, Amendment 1 will supersede all current laws and likely prevent any future law or regulation on abortion.

In September, 150 Virginia pastors signed an open letter urging voters to reject the amendment, stating, “We must not dehumanize an entire class of the most vulnerable persons and enshrine a ‘right’ to destroy innocent life in the Virginia Constitution.” Bishop Michael Burbidge of the Diocese of Arlington is leading a petition asking Catholics to pledge to vote “no” because if the amendment passed, “Virginia would effectively become a sanctuary for abortion and commercial abortion businesses.”

The Commonwealth of Virginia is a beautiful place and has played a pivotal role in American history. Unlimited abortion should not be our legacy.

If voters pass this, it cannot simply be repealed by the General Assembly. It would take another constitutional amendment that is passed by two separately elected General Assemblies and then passed by Virginia voters. That’s not an easy fix. Our best chance at victory is to make sure our pro-life and Christian friends, family, colleagues, and acquaintances get out and vote.