Catholic, Latter-day Saint, and Hispanic evangelical leaders are asking voters to say no before early voting begins.
What Happened This Weekend
Three big faith groups that don’t always line up together are saying the same thing: Vote no on Question 6.
Sunday was Respect Life Sunday for Catholics. For it, Archbishop George Leo Thomas of Las Vegas wrote a letter to the faithful. His message was plain.
“I encourage you to vote no on Question 6 and invite your family and friends to do the same.”
Northern Nevada heard the same call weeks earlier. As Nevada News & Views reported on September 15, Bishop Daniel Mueggenborg of Reno called Question 6, “a very dangerous abortion amendment.” He urged Catholics to vote no and pushed back on claims that Nevadans would lose abortion access if it fails, since that access is already protected by state law.
Both bishops pointed families to a free guide from the Nevada Catholic Conference. It is available at parishes in English and Spanish.
Catholic leaders are not alone. Leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sent a letter to Nevada congregations. It was read aloud in sacrament meetings on September 20 and 27.
It said:
“The Church opposes this initiative.”
The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference also spoke up. It urged Nevada voters:
“to reject this deeply immoral amendment.”
Read more:
Rebuttal: Hispanic Heritage Isn’t a Campaign Asset for Question 6
What Question 6 Actually Does
Abortion is already legal in Nevada. In 1990, voters approved a law allowing abortion up to 24 weeks, and that law can’t be changed by the Legislature unless it goes back to the ballot.
The archbishop made this same point:
“This question is not whether abortion is legal in Nevada; it already is under a law approved by Nevada voters in 1990.”
So what changes? Question 6 would add a “fundamental right” to abortion to the state constitution until fetal viability and after that whenever needed to protect the life or health of the patient. Viability would be decided by the patient’s own treating practitioner, who would no longer be required to be a licensed physician.
Read our prior coverage:
Nevada’s Abortion Law Isn’t Going Anywhere, So What Does Question 6 Actually Change?
Once it is set, it is very hard to change.
The Numbers
This is an uphill climb. In 2024, Question 6 passed with 64.36 percent of the vote. Nevada requires citizen amendments to pass in two elections, which is why it is back.
Fresh polling shows how steep that hill is. A Noble Predictive Insights poll taken September 22 to 26 found 69 percent of likely voters support Question 6. Only 22 percent oppose it. The poll surveyed 708 likely voters and has a margin of error of about 3.7 points.
Here is the part that should get conservatives’ attention. Republicans back the measure too, 52 to 38. Support tops 60 percent in Clark, Washoe, and the rural counties. As Nevada News & Views reported, opponents can’t assume their own side is already on board.
There is one catch. The poll measured reactions to the ballot wording, not the arguments churches are making now. That leaves room to persuade, especially on the point that abortion is already legal under the 1990 law.
Money is lopsided too. In 2024, the “yes” campaign raised about $13.2 million, while the main opposition group reported no contributions.
This year, the money gap is huge again.
Through June, the “yes” campaign raised more than $815,000 this year. Much of it came from out of state, including $250,000 from a California donor and $250,000 from a Planned Parenthood affiliate.
The two groups fighting Question 6 raised less than $12,000 combined. Protect Our Girls raised $10,000, and Students for Life Action raised about $1,700.
The next fundraising reports are due October 15.
What You Can Do
Start by reading the amendment yourself. It is only a few sentences long.
Then talk with people you know. If you go to church, ask for the voter guides your leaders are handing out.
Whatever you decide, do it with kindness. The Latter-day Saint letter said it well, asking members to show “Christlike love and civility in political discourse.”
Early voting starts October 17. Election Day is November 3. If Question 6 passes again, it becomes part of the Nevada Constitution on November 24.
The opinions expressed by contributors are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Nevada News & Views. This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
