FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — As Republicans signaled months ago that 2022 would be the year they’d impose new restrictions on abortion access in Florida, Democrats had a warning: Limiting access would produce a political backlash, and a torrent of enraged voters would punish the GOP in this year’s elections.
Now, with Florida about to enact a ban on abortions after the 15th week of pregnancy, many Democrats and abortion rights activists are resigned to a different reality. Any negative reaction may amount to little more than a political ripple.
Even as they’re unable to stop the restrictions from become law — pending a final vote in the Republican-controlled Florida Senate and a signature from Gov. Ron DeSantis, both of which are all-but-guaranteed — abortion rights proponents aren’t ready to give up and say they’ll take the issue to the voters.
