Resources

More Voters, Especially Women, Now Say Abortion Is Their Top Issue

The presidential candidates differ significantly in their positions on abortion, each with potential implications for the business community and workforce. Former President Donald Trump credits himself with overturning Roe v. Wade during his presidency and has indicated support for a national 15-week ban on abortion, but also recently promised to veto a national abortion ban, further clouding his stance. Vice President Kamala Harris is clear on her stance and supports a federal law to restore a national standard.

For business leaders, understanding their stances is necessary for anticipating how changes in abortion access will affect workforce mobility, employee health benefits, and broader corporate social responsibility strategies. Depending on the election outcomes at the state and federal levels, businesses will face legal and regulatory complexities if they operate across state lines and challenges in attracting and retaining talent.    

Ballot Measures

The confirmed states with abortion ballot measures: Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, South Dakota

Visit our Ballot Measures page for information on each state.

Business Resources

NationSwell’s Civics Inc. How every business can help promote a healthy democracy offers case examples and tools to support corporate civic engagement now and through election day. Below are actions that can further your company’s commitment to what Don’t Ban Equality is all about.

• Provide your workers paid time off to vote, even if they are in a state that doesn't require it.

• Support and recognize workers and ERGs who are mobilizing around voter education and helping elections run freely and fairly this cycle.

• Understand the impact of the issue on workers in the state(s) where you operate to develop an informed POV for use in internal communications as well as externally.  

  • If your company operates in any states with ballot measures, you can:

    • Contribute financially to support initiatives through political giving entities and/or as individuals (companies should ensure compliance with legal and reporting requirements).

    • Educate stakeholders - use Don’t Ban Equality partner ACLU’s Voting Guide for Abortion.  

      • Consider joining a campaign effort in states with ballot measures  

        • Request a campaign sign to put in your storefront or office space;

        • Request information about the ballot measure to have available to customers;

        • Host a fundraiser; and

        • Donate in-kind ad space

      • To learn more, you can also reach out to trish.hyde@ppfa.org, Planned Parenthood Action Fund.

• Publicly reinforce democratic norms by educating consumers about voting, especially important when mis- and disinformation will be focused on sowing chaos and confusion. Endorse activities that strengthen the social fabric of democracy, such as supporting nonpartisan efforts in civics education (which can often happen through business groups or associations).

• Align political influence at your company by establishing conditions on your support for elected officials that include ongoing support for essential responsible and sustainable business matters, as well as rule of law and free and fair elections.

Joanna Rice, SVP and global head of social impact, Match Group, a Don’t Ban Equality signer, on the importance of reinforcing democratic norms: “Our business depends on a healthy democracy, and a healthy democracy depends on voter turnout. It is in our interest to drive engagement by educating and motivating our audiences around issues rather than candidates.”

• BSR: Navigating the Rollbacks in Protection of Reproductive and LGBTQI+ Rights in the US

• Guttmacher Institute: Ongoing policy tracking and updates

• Institute for Women’s Policy Research: 2023 Analysis: Costs of Reproductive Health Restrictions

• Morning Consult: State Policies on Issues Such as Gun Violence, Abortion Access, Climate Change are Key Considerations for US Workers, Companies

• National Partnership for Women and Families: The Links Between the Lack of Abortion Access, Health Care and Workplace Equity

• Rhia Ventures: Hidden Value: The Business Case for Reproductive Health illuminates the link between access to comprehensive reproductive health care and business performance.

• UC San Francisco, Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health: The Turnaway Study examines the effects of unwanted pregnancy on women’s lives. The major aim of the study is to describe the mental health, physical health, and socioeconomic consequences of receiving an abortion compared to carrying an unwanted pregnancy to term.

KFF Ballot Tracker: Status of Abortion-Related State Constitutional Amendment Measures for the 2024 Election

Bloomberg Law: Can States Ban Employer Abortion Aid? Post-Roe Limits Explained

Center for Reproductive Rights: 2023 State Legislative Wrap-up

Guttmacher Institute: The High Toll of US Abortion Bans: Nearly One in Five Patients Now Traveling Out of State for Abortion Care

BSR: Navigating the Rollbacks in Protection of Reproductive and LGBTQI+ Rights in the US

BSR: Seven Actions for Business in 2024 Post-Roe America

Center for Democracy & Technology: Report-Data After Dobbs: Best Practices for Protecting Reproductive Health Data

HR Brew: Employees say Corporate America needs to do more on abortion access and reproductive healthcare

Knowledge at Wharton: How Employers Can Support Women’s Reproductive Rights

Protect Reproductive Health: Pro Repro: A Playbook for Business to Protect Reproductive Health

Society for Human Resources Management: Employers Prepare Benefits and Policy Responses to Abortion Ruling

• Visit the Center for Reproductive Rights for a state-by-state breakdown of abortion rights.

First, workers should protect their digital privacy when researching needs: click here

Directories for finding abortion clinics and appointments:

• I need an A

• Abortion Finder

• National Abortion Federation Hotline

• Planned Parenthood

For accurate information on medication abortion access via telehealth:

• Plan C

• Aid Access

Financial, Logistical, and Legal Support

• National Network of Abortion Funds - Directory to find closest abortion fund

• Abortion Defense Network

• Brigid Alliance - Travel and lodging assistance

• Midwest Access Coalition - Travel and lodging assistance

• For free legal help as a patient or doctor, call If/When/How’s Repro Helpline: 844-868-2812

Support independent abortion clinics and organizations responding to the abortion access crisis:

• Abortion Care Network

• Keep Our Clinics

• Critical Reproductive Access Fund