Washington Post Examines November Ballot Initiatives On Abortion

Main Category: Abortion
Article Date: 04 Sep 2008 - 9:00 PDT

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The Washington Post on Saturday examined antiabortion-related state ballot initiatives in California, Colorado and South Dakota.

The California initiative would require parental notification for minors seeking abortions, according to the Post. Kathy Kneer, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, said the proposed law is "highly deceptive" and would prevent vulnerable teenagers from seeking abortions. Grace Dulaney -- spokesperson for the group Friends of Sarah, which supports the measure -- said minors in California need parental permission for tanning salon services and ear piercing, adding that the initiative is "not about women's choice; it's about minor girls."

According to the Post, Colorado's initiative "could have the biggest political impact" because of the close race in the state between presidential candidates Sens. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) and John McCain (R-Ariz.). Colorado's initiative would define the term "person" in the state's constitution as "any human being from the moment of fertilization." Crystal Clinkenbeard of the group Protect Family, Protect Choices, which opposes the measure, said the initiative is "about a minority with an extreme political view," adding that the organization is "gravely concerned." Ted Miller, communications director of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said the initiative "works as an advantage" to Obama because of the large number of Republican abortion-rights supporters in Colorado who will "switch parties over an issue like this in a way they wouldn't for any other issue."

South Dakota's measure would ban abortions except in cases of incest, rape or threats to pregnant women's lives. According to the Post, the measure potentially could lead to the Supreme Court overturning Roe v Wade. Leslee Unruh -- executive director at VoteYesForLife.com, which supports the ban -- said money is being raised for the cost of legal fees to "fight" challenges to the law "all the way" to the Supreme Court. Abortion-rights advocate Chris Cassidy from the South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families said if support is along "party lines, it's over," emphasizing the bipartisan nature of abortion-rights groups' arguments. South Dakota voters rejected a similar ban in 2006 by 56% to 44% (Watt, Washington Post, 8/30).

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