by Gretchen Borchelt, Senior Counsel
National Women’s Law Center
On November 4, voters in California, Colorado, and South Dakota will not just be voting for our next President. They will also be voting on whether women’s access to abortion is restricted – or eliminated altogether – in their state. Those three states all have abortion-related initiatives on the ballot. In two states – Colorado and South Dakota – the ballot initiatives attempt to outlaw abortion. In California, voters will decide whether to mandate parental notification before a teen can have an abortion. Here’s a brief description of each ballot initiative, as well as links for more information.
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South Dakota. South Dakotans will vote on whether to make it nearly impossible for women to obtain an abortion in the state. You might remember that just two years ago, South Dakota voters rejected a similar abortion ban. But the same group that spearheaded that failed effort is trying again. They just won’t give up! They have made it clear that the goal is to challenge Roe v. Wade. The new initiative on this November’s ballot is a sweeping ban on abortion and it’s just as dangerous as the 2006 ban. The anti-choice activists who proposed the ban claim it allows abortions in cases of rape, incest, and when the woman’s health is threatened. But take a closer look, and you’ll see that those exceptions are very narrow and place heavy burdens on women seeking abortions and the doctors who care for them. Under this proposed ban, doctors in SD who try to care for women would face felony charges and jail time. The South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families - the bipartisan coalition formed originally to defeat the 2006 ban – is working to stop this dangerous initiative. Check out their website to see how you can help them.
Colorado. In Colorado, voters will decide whether to amend the state constitution to define a “person” as “any human being from the moment of fertilization” and grant constitutional rights to fertilized eggs. You’re not alone if you find that confusing or unclear. What’s the point of giving rights to fertilized eggs? To ban abortion. Even for victims of rape or incest, or when the woman’s life or health is at risk. But it doesn’t stop there. It could also ban certain forms of popular and effective birth control, including the birth control pill. It could trigger government investigations into miscarriages. It could also ban in vitro fertilization and block the entire field of stem cell research. The Protect Families Protect Choices coalition –a broad-based bipartisan coalition of nurses, doctors, religious leaders, community groups, and health advocacy organizations – is working hard to stop this ban from passing. Check out their website to learn more or see how you can help.
California. Poor California voters – they have to once again decide whether to require pregnant teens to notify their parents before they seek an abortion. This is the third time in just four years anti-choice activists have tried to get such a measure passed. They keep trying, claiming they want to promote “family involvement.” But this measure doesn’t do that. Instead, it puts teens in real danger. In the real world, some teens just can’t go to their parents. This initiative would force those teens to delay critical medical care or turn to self-induced or illegal back-alley abortions. No law can mandate family communication. Experts who work with teens every day, including the CA Academy of Family Physicians, the CA Nurses Association, the CA Teachers Association, and the CA Association of School Counselors, oppose this ballot initiative. To learn more, visit the Campaign for Teen Safety website.
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