Lynn Bonner, a veteran reporter for the News from the States, has been covering the battles over election laws and abortion rights in the US for the past year. Her investigative journalism has revealed how some Republican lawmakers and anti-abortion activists have responded to losses at the ballot box by undermining the democratic process and the will of the voters.
The rise of abortion rights in the post-Roe era
Bonner’s reporting has shown how abortion rights have gained momentum in the US since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, sending the issue back to the states. Despite the efforts of 16 states to ban nearly all abortions, voters in several states have approved ballot measures to protect abortion rights in their state constitutions, such as Ohio, Nevada, and Arizona. Even in conservative states like Kentucky and Virginia, Democrats have successfully defended their legislative majorities by campaigning on abortion rights.
Bonner has interviewed abortion rights activists, clinic workers, patients, and experts who have shared their stories and perspectives on the changing landscape of abortion access in the US. She has also highlighted the challenges and barriers that many people still face in obtaining safe and legal abortions, especially in states with restrictive laws and limited resources. She has reported on the rise of self-managed abortions, which involve obtaining and using abortion pills at home, and the legal risks and stigma associated with them.
The backlash of anti-abortion forces
Bonner has also exposed how certain Republican elected officials and anti-abortion activists have refused to accept the pro-choice victories and have resorted to various tactics to challenge and overturn them. She has documented how some of them have:
- Questioned the legitimacy and accuracy of the election results, and filed lawsuits to block the certification and implementation of the ballot measures.
- Refused to bring state laws into line with voter-backed changes, and continued to enforce unconstitutional abortion bans and restrictions.
- Moved to strip state courts of their power to consider abortion-related laws, and appointed anti-abortion judges to the bench.
- Challenged the citizen-led ballot initiative process itself, and proposed legislation to make it harder for voters to propose and pass constitutional amendments.
Bonner has interviewed anti-abortion lawmakers, activists, lawyers, and leaders who have justified their actions as necessary to protect the sanctity of life and the integrity of the constitution. She has also analyzed the legal and political implications of their strategies, and the potential consequences for democracy and the rule of law.
The outlook for 2024
Bonner’s reporting has provided a comprehensive and nuanced picture of the abortion rights situation in the US, and how it may shape the upcoming presidential election in 2024. She has explored how abortion rights have become a key issue for both parties, and how they may mobilize and influence voters across the ideological spectrum. She has also examined how the Supreme Court may rule on another major abortion case next year, and how it may affect the state-level battles and the national debate.
Bonner has demonstrated her journalistic excellence and integrity by providing factual, balanced, and in-depth coverage of one of the most contentious and consequential issues of our time. She has given voice to the people and the stories that matter, and has shed light on the clash between democracy and the anti-abortion agenda.
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