Reproductive health care is a major issue for voters nationally and locally. 

On Guam, the community organization Famalao’an Rights asked candidates for their stance on the issue. Here’s what they found. 

“We will not rest until all of our pre-born brothers and sisters are protected under our law,” said Pulse Life Advocates Executive Director Maggie Dewitte. 

“As long as there are people fighting to take away my rights, I'm going to be here fighting to get those rights back, and we're not going to stop,” said Iowa Abortion Access Fund Co-Chair Lyz Lenz. 

This week, Iowa's strict abortion law went into effect, prohibiting most abortions after about six weeks of pregnancy. 

Deputy Director of Famalao’an Rights Calen Michel Meno weighed in, saying, “A lot of people do hold this specific issue close to their heart and this is what helps guide them in their decision of voting.” 

The organization published a survey they conducted among candidates ahead of the primary about their stance on women’s reproductive healthcare, which includes birth control, abortion, and healthcare education. 

They asked candidates if they support access to all forms of women’s reproductive health, some forms of it, or not at all. 

Six candidates, including just one running for delegate, said they support access to all forms of reproductive healthcare. One declined to respond. Five candidates explained why they support some forms of it. But a vast majority did not respond.

“With Roe v. Wade being overturned it has then been left to the states to decide on how to move forward on this issue so we definitely need congressional candidates who will be out there to champion this issue with us on a nationwide scale, but at the same time, we still need to be mindful of those we elect to the local legislature,” said Meno. 

The group said they do not take a no response as an official stance and will update the survey results if they receive more answers. 

“We do highly encourage that these candidates who did not respond to come out and make it clear where they stand on the issue,” she added.