If you have been keeping up with the pro life activities in South Dakota, you know that their governor just passed a law outlawing all abortions (including incest and rape) and instructed doctors to try to save both if the mother’s life is in danger. The hope is that it would go to the Supreme Court and overturn Row v. Wade. However, there are options available to the people of SD that would not require courts, and that is what the pro-aborts are trying:
But officials with Planned Parenthood, which operates the only clinics in South Dakota that provide abortions, said a lawsuit may not be filed immediately.
Instead, abortion rights supporters may try to take the issue before South Dakota voters in November. State law allows ballot referendums seeking to overturn legislation.
“When you take things to the courts you don’t have the opportunity to engage the public in the process. You don’t have the ability to build a movement,” said Planned Parenthood spokeswoman Kate Looby.
If they choose to pursue a referendum, abortion rights supporters must collect more than 16,700 signatures by June 19 to get the issue on the ballot for the November 7 election.
If they fail to get enough signatures by the deadline and there is no further legal challenge, the law would take effect on July 1.
So it comes down to what the people of SD think, and I believe that they will not vote against the bill if the last election we had meant anything. This would definitely get people out to the polls!
“When you take things to the courts you don’t have the opportunity to engage the public in the process. You don’t have the ability to build a movement,” said Planned Parenthood spokeswoman Kate Looby.
Um…isn’t that exactly what they did in Roe vs. Wade? 🙂 Even for the opposition, hindsight is 20/20. That’s good, I only pray there is a strong turn-out (if the issue comes to a vote) and the people will uphold the current ruling.