Pro-life group warns of ‘Trojan horse’ ballot measures to promote abortion

A leading anti-abortion organization is raising concerns over its provisions ballot measure Which could legalize abortion up to birth in some states.

“Current pro-abortion laws Proves state abortion ballots are Trojan Horse to overturn pro-parent, pro-lifee-law,” Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America (SBA) warned in a recent memo.

The group said, “Advocates use abortion amendments to challenge parental rights and force all trimester abortions through taxpayer-funded, ongoing litigation.” “They are increasingly setting legal precedent through this kind of legislation that allows them to use state constitutional amendments to overrule common-sense state laws and enact policies that go far beyond ‘reinstating Roe.’ Will allow to do.”

At least 10 states have abortion-related ballot measures up for consideration on Nov. 5 — including conservative-leaning Arizona, Florida, Montana, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota as well as blue states like Colorado, Maryland and New York. .

While many referendums have been presented as a means of restoring previously established abortion rights The Supreme Court in Roe vs. Wade more than 50 years agoThe SBA argued that the proposals used open-ended language that would go beyond the 1973 decision.

The group said, “Unfortunately, the broad, often undefined language in these amendments opens the door to judicial interpretation far different from what voters might expect based on ballot summaries, media coverage, and even the text.”

The most high-profile referendum is Amendment 4 in Florida, which would allow abortion up to so-called fetal viability – usually defined as 24 weeks. That initiative must receive 60% of the vote to prevail.

In its memo, the SBA cited Ohio, where voters greenlighted a constitutional amendment in 2023 that enshrines the right to an abortion while allowing the state to enact restrictions after fetal viability. It noted that an ACLU of Ohio attorney has suggested that there be a parental consent law for minors seeking abortions. cannot comply with that amendment,

In a recent lawsuit, pro-abortion rights organizations such as Planned Parenthood also challenged the Buckeye State’s requirements for informed consent and personal consultation with a licensed physician before undergoing the procedure.

At the end, The court took the majority side Involved with pro-abortion rights organizations and the Ohio Amendment.

In Michigan, voters approved an amendment in 2022 to enshrine a “state constitutional right to reproductive freedom.” Recently a top ACLU official in that state irritated This regulation “separates and excludes Medicaid-eligible people from this right”, raising the possibility that state taxpayers could be forced to pay for the procedure under future expansions of eligibility.

Also in Michigan, an abortion rights group fought against laws that mandate women give a 24-hour reflection period and informed consent before terminating their pregnancy. Court once again in June largely biased With the pro-choice side.

“Two additional cases in Ohio and Michigan seek to block critical safeguards on dangerous chemical abortion drugs as well as force taxpayers to fund elective late-term abortions. “Both rely on abortion amendments recently passed by states as a basis for invalidating these state laws,” the SBA further warned.

The group’s memo comes as many Republicans find themselves on the backfoot on abortion, with polls showing the public is more in favor with Democrats on the issue.

In April, former President Donald Trump announced that he would not enact a federal abortion ban and intended to leave the matter to the states.

Later, the Republican Party changed its campaign platform to remove language calling for national abortion restrictions.

After a series of ballot failures, some political observers Long-term feasibility is questioned Just two years after the anti-abortion movement achieved its biggest victory with the overthrow of Roe.

Has leadership in several major anti-abortion organizations Troubled by being outmatched and overspending by pro-abortion rights groups during the election cycle.

The SBA stressed that with Election Day fast approaching and ballots already being cast, anti-abortion groups need to do a better job of educating voters on the topic.

“As Ohio and Michigan prove,” it says, “the constitutional amendments that passed ‘right to abortion’ laws have allowed new judicial interpretations that upend decades-old policies protecting women, minors, and conscientious taxpayers.” Eliminates abortion, thereby exposing the state to the full radicalism of the pro-abortion left.