Pro-life activists in Massachusetts have collected almost 100,000 signatures to suspend and ultimately repeal the state’s new abortion law, far exceeding the threshold needed for a ballot measure, LifeSiteNews reported Friday.
In August, Democratic Gov. Maura Healey signed H. 5595, which removed previous limits that restricted abortions past 24 weeks to cases involving the patient’s life, physical or mental health, or certain fetal diagnoses.
Under the new statute, an abortion may be performed based solely on a physician’s professional judgment, and no medical review process can override that decision or a patient’s choice.
The change effectively allows abortions up to birth if an abortionist deems them medically necessary, drawing opposition from conservatives, Christians, and some Democrats.
Healey has defended the law while describing herself as a “proud Catholic” who believes everyone deserves kindness and empathy in times of need.
In response, Massachusetts Citizens for Life and Massachusetts Family Action formed the Compassionate Care Coalition and filed paperwork to place a repeal question on the 2028 ballot.
The coalition has now announced 99,962 signatures—well above the 37,000 required for the ballot and the additional 12,430 needed to suspend the law in the interim.
Whether suspension occurs remains uncertain; the Boston Globe notes that Healey could declare an “emergency” to keep the law in effect until the 2028 vote, though her office has said only that it continues to monitor the process.
Critics contend that using emergency powers to preserve unlimited abortion would stretch a mechanism intended for genuine crises.
The signatures must be submitted for certification by November 6.
“The people of Massachusetts did not ask for abortion through all nine months, and in a matter of weeks they made that clear,” said Sam Miele, chairman of the Compassionate Care Coalition and director of Massachusetts Family Action.
“We are grateful to every volunteer, pastor and parish staffer who carried a clipboard. Because of them, voters will have the final say.”
Myrna Maloney Flynn, president of Massachusetts Citizens for Life and vice chair of the coalition, added: “When it seems impossible to reach and serve vulnerable, hurting women, remember that truth paves the road of possibility. If you ever think you’re powerless when it comes to protecting the unborn, think again.”
Massachusetts ranks among the most left-leaning states, so a full repeal is considered unlikely, but the referendum will test how far residents support abortion with no limits at any stage of pregnancy.
Thirteen states currently ban most abortions from conception, while others impose heartbeat or later restrictions.
Ballot measures have been a key tool for abortion advocates since Roe v. Wade was overturned, though pro-life groups broke a prior winning streak for pro-abortion initiatives in 2024 by defeating them in Florida, Nebraska, and South Dakota.