Referendums on Abortion
Several states had early July deadlines for petitions, so we can take stock.
For establishing a "right" to abortion, there were successful petition drives in Colorado, Florida, Nevada, and South Dakota – the measures will be on the November ballot. Additionally, the legislatures of Maryland and New York put this on the ballot. Ample signatures have been turned in and are being checked in Arizona, Missouri, Montana, and Nebraska.
In Arkansas, pro-abortion campaigners turned in about 100,000 signatures when they needed about 90,000. But Ballotpedia’s study shows normally only about 75% of signature get validated. Yet this is their second hurdle: the first is the secretary of state rejected them, claiming campaigners didn’t file proper paperwork about paid circulators. Campaigners claim they did. A court case is likely.
Nebraska has two petitions turned in with ample signatures: one for the “right” to abortion, and one to protect women and children from second and third trimester abortions (with the usual caveats). The current law restricts abortion to 12 weeks, so this would keep that from being expanded. We’ll have to see if it turns out to be a good strategy. The rule is that if both win, the one with the most votes is the one that goes into the state constitution. We know enough from how Americans answer polls to know that both of them winning is a real possibility.
See our page on State Constitutions and Abortion for more information about what’s happening around the U.S. See the Peace and Life Referendums home page for the whole set of referendums we’re tracking.
American Solidarity Party in National Review
Because National Review is a conservative magazine founded by William F. Buckley, it doesn’t cover the consistent life ethic much. But we occasionally quote Kathryn Jean Lopez from its pages because she’s a pro-lifer who has a firm grasp on the principle that protecting unborn children works best when protecting everybody, and she’s especially sensitive to meeting the needs of new mothers and families.
Kathryn Jean Lopez Peter Sonski & Lauren Onak, ASP candidates
On July 15, she published an article about one of our member groups: The New Party of Life? American Solidarity’s Winning Ticket. Especially because the Republican party has watered down its platform’s abortion position so badly, and especially because aid to mothers is so crucial to stopping many abortions, she’s pleased there’s a party that still advocates the full pro-life case. When she says “winning ticket,” she’s well aware they’re not making plans in case they move into the White House: “The American Solidarity Party has a winning ticket inasmuch as it captures something of the pro-life vision — loving and welcome — that is all too often lost today.”
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Jacqueline Abernathy has another post reflecting on problems with euthanasia in Assisted Suicide is Inequality, Just Like All Legal Violence. She recounts her letter to the Delaware governor asking him to veto a Delaware bill, and explains how studies back this up.
Quotation of the Week
John L. Carr
The Consistent Life Ethic: A Look Back, a Look Around, A Look Ahead
University of St. Thomas Law Journal, 2005, p. 267
Politics is obviously more than an election every two to four years. In the current context, the consistent life ethic can leave many uncomfortable with the choices we face at election time. Some feel “politically homeless” . . . There is a temptation to withdraw or retreat in frustration or cynicism. However, defenders of human dignity need to get more, not less involved.
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