Tomorrow is Voting Day!
| Published November 3, 2025 I need to write about a sensitive topic because a critical vote is coming to our beautiful state of Virginia. So when does life begin? Science speaks clearly—it starts at conception. From fertilization, a new human being exists with DNA completely distinct from the mother’s. Furthermore, it is normal and right to believe that human life is a net good and we need to foster a culture of protecting the next generation, not destroying it. Virginia now faces a pivotal moment. A potential for a constitutional amendment that would enshrine abortion without meaningful restrictions—possibly up until birth—is at hand. This amendment is advancing through our legislature. We need the House of Delegates to vote this down. On November 4th, we the people of Virginia get to choose who makes up this house. Again, when did your life start? It happened on one day, at one moment in time. From that moment, your unique genetic code has helped set your eye color, height, personality traits, and countless other features. By 7 weeks, you had a measurable heartbeat. By 8 weeks, your brain waves came online. An ultrasound would have shown you—a tiny human moving, growing, and developing organs. These aren’t abstractions—we can see and measure these now with modern equipment. You came into being in a moment—praise God for that! Some then argue that “personhood” doesn’t begin until later. But do we realize “personhood” isn’t a scientific term? It’s a philosophical construct used to muddy the waters. So I ask, when exactly does personhood begin—at birth, at 22 weeks, 23, or 24? There’s no consistent scientific answer—only an answer of convenience. For example, if someone murders an unconscious person in a coma, it’s murder—though they lack current consciousness. Their value doesn’t depend on awareness but on their humanity. Likewise, the unborn are human beings with inherent dignity and rights, even though not yet fully conscious. Also, some use the term “bodily autonomy” to try to continue the argument. I feel we need a cultural frame shift here—pregnancy isn’t an invasion—it’s the natural process by which every human life begins—yours and mine. Motherhood isn’t a curse—it’s a superpower. These days, ultrasounds show the growing baby to the mom and a connection happens—often they see “I have a responsibility and it’s amazing!” What about rape? First, this makes up less than 1 percent of cases of requested abortions. Second, if I showed you two pictures, each a smiling baby, and asked “which one came about by rape?” you could not tell which. Others claim women die because of pro-life laws. That’s false. Abortions to save a mother’s life are extremely rare and already legal. Conditions like ectopic pregnancy and severe preeclampsia are treated immediately—this is medical care, not elective abortion. My feeling is that we shouldn’t rewrite the constitution for something that already has a mechanism for action. The constitutional rewrite is about one thing—allowing for the destruction of human life on demand. Medicine keeps advancing. Premature infants now survive at 22 weeks. If we protect them outside the womb, why not inside? Our oath as physicians is to do no harm, yet this amendment calls the intentional ending of human life “healthcare” when really it is a culture of death. So what can we do? The amendment already passed both the House and Senate once in 2025. A second vote on the same amendment is coming up again in 2026. That means the delegates elected this November 4th will decide Virginia’s future. Many local candidates already stand for life—but this message must reach beyond our region. A few close districts will determine whether Virginia protects or abandons its unborn children. Your vote matters. I encourage you to research candidates using voter guides from the Virginia Society for Human Life (vshl.org) and The Family Foundation of Virginia (familyfoundation.org). Vote early if you can, and encourage your family to do the same. This issue transcends politics. It’s about humanity—about affirming that every heartbeat deserves protection, especially the most vulnerable among us. Let’s use our voice and our courage and our vote to decide our fate. Also, if you’ve experienced abortion-related grief, healing is possible. Organizations like Unhindered and local pregnancy centers offer compassionate, judgment-free help focused on restoration and peace. This election gives us the chance to stop this amendment and keep Virginia’s constitution aligned with truth and life. Share this message if it speaks to you and please take the time to go and vote. Lives truly hang in the balance. Together, we can ensure our laws reflect the inherent dignity of every human being—from the very beginning. Because life is good. Blessings, Dr. Jeff Ponke, MDForest Direct Primary Care |
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