Even though abortion is on the ballot in every election, voters in Oregon, Alabama, and West Virginia will be casting their votes on particular initiatives ranging from prohibiting the use of public funds for abortion to recognizing the rights of the unborn.RollCall.com is reporting on the initiatives which are typically introduced by a state legislature or by citizens who gather enough signatures to have the measure included on the ballot box.
West Virginia
In West Virginia, where the race for the Senate seat is particularly close, voters will be able to vote on a ballot initiative aimed at adding a constitutional amendment stating that nothing in the state constitution “protects a right to abortion or requires the funding of abortion.”
It would ban the use of state Medicaid funds from going to abortion except in the cases of rape, incest, a fetal anomaly or threats to the life of the woman.
“Our purpose in passing this is to take the decision away from the courts and remove it from our constitution and get it back into the legislative environment,” said Wanda Franz, president of West Virginians for Life, a pro-life organization.
WV Free, an abortion rights group that is part of the Vote No on Amendment 1 coalition, is opposing the initiative and using phone banking and one-on-one contact with prospective voters to dissuade them from voting for the measure.
“The ballot initiative could hurt West Virginia Senate Democrat Joe Manchin III if abortion opponents motivated to vote for the ballot initiative back Manchin’s opponent, Patrick Morrisey,” RollCall reports.
Oregon
The state of Oregon will also feature a ballot initiative that challenges the legality of public funding for abortion except in the case of an ectopic pregnancy or if the woman’s life is in danger.
After several failed attempts to get this measure on the ballot, Oregon Life United needed to collect 117,578 signatures to appear on the ballot this year and exceeded the goal.
Abortion laws in the state have stood intact since Roe v. Wade and it's one of 17 states that allow some state funding for the procedure.
“Part of the motivation for the ballot initiative’s timing may be due to a new Oregon law that takes effect next year and requires private insurance to cover abortion without copayments,” RollCall reports. “State officials also plan to provide abortion coverage for women in plans that are exempt from the mandate, such as those for religious group employers who oppose abortion. The law also covers abortion for individuals who would qualify for Medicaid if not for their immigration status.”
Pro-life groups, who are aware that the majority of Oregon voters support abortion, are emphasizing that the initiative wouldn’t prevent anyone from seeking an abortion, but only ensure that the public is not forced to subsidize them.
“Because Measure 106 is not a ban on abortion, and because we know both pro-choice and pro-life voters don’t want their money to be used to fund other people’s personal choices, we believe this can pass — even in a state like Oregon,” said Nichole Bentz, media communications manager at Yes on Measure 106.
Opponents say the measure would limit the options for low-income women.
Alabama
Alabama is also launching an initiative that would “recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children.”
As the initiative reads: “"Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of Alabama of 1901, as amended; to declare and otherwise affirm that it is the public policy of this state to recognize and support the sanctity of unborn life and the rights of unborn children, most importantly the right to life in all manners and measures appropriate and lawful; and to provide that the constitution of this state does not protect the right to abortion or require the funding of abortion.”
Opponents argue that the personhood initiatives are too broad and could impact pregnancy attempts through in vitro fertilization and inheritance rights.
“Amendment Two declares Alabama as a pro-life state and positions us to take action in the event that Roe v. Wade is overturned, which seems an increasing possibility with the confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh,” said Alabama Public Service Commission President Twinkle Andress Cavanaugh, who also co-chairs the Alliance for a Pro-Life Alabama.
If the measure passes, it is expected to be challenged in court.
Regardless of whether your state has an abortion initiative this November, as long as public figures promote this procedure, it’s always on the ballot. Be sure to get out and vote for life!
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