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Your guide to taking action for reproductive rights in Iowa

A weekly roundup of Iowa political events, advocacy opportunities, protests, and more ways to take action for reproductive rights statewide.

reproductive rights
A Planned Parenthood clinic patient escort stands outside the building Thursday, July 18, 2024, in Ames, Iowa. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

It’s been four years since the Supreme Court of the United States overturned Roe v. Wade—the landmark 1973 ruling that enshrined abortion rights for all Americans. Since this reversal, states around the US have restricted and even banned basic reproductive rights like abortion.

Here in Iowa, abortion, contraceptives, and reproductive care are largely unprotected. Currently, there is a 6-week ban on abortions in Iowa. State law mandates that providers dispense medication abortion drugs in person, after an in-person examination.

After the initial consultation, there is a mandatory 24-hour waiting period before the procedure.

Want to fight for reproductive rights in Iowa? Here are some ways you can take action.

ACTIONS

Register to vote

One of the best ways to protect reproductive rights is with your vote. You have the power to elect officials who protect your rights, not threaten them.

Make sure to check your voter registration status using the tool below. It’ll check your registration, update you on important election dates, and find your polling location.

Volunteer with Planned Parenthood

One of the best ways to provide direct support for reproductive rights is to help the organization responsible for caring for thousands of Iowans every day.

There is currently only one Planned Parenthood location in Iowa. Planned Parenthood care goes far beyond abortion; it also provides services like Pap smears, preventative care, birth control management, and much more. 

Planned Parenthood is always looking for volunteers to help it provide this essential care. If you’re interested in volunteering your time, please visit Planned Parenthood’s ‘Take Action’ page.

Sign a petition

Volunteering your time isn’t always possible. But don’t worry! There are more ways to take action. Sign one (or all!) of the petitions down below.

For University of Iowa students: Sign the Campaign to Organize Graduate Students’ (COGS’) Repro Justice Petition

Need more information before casting your next ballot?

Use Iowa Starting Line’s voter registration tool below to check your registration status, find your polling place, and stay updated for future elections, so you and your family never miss the chance to vote. 

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Zachary Oren Smith
Zachary Oren Smith Political Correspondent
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Authors

  • Lily Jackson is the Community Development Organizer at the Granite Post with five years of organizing experience at the local, state, and federal levels. Prior to joining Courier Newsroom, she organized her alma mater, the University of New Hampshire with the New Hampshire Democratic Coordinated Campaign, and the Presidential Inaugural Committee for the MLK Day of Service. She continued her advocacy with the American Civil Liberties Union of New Hampshire after graduation. Lily grew up in Boston, but now calls the Granite State her home.