Mixed results for divisive ballot measures
By DAVID CRARY
Associated Press
May 15, 2008
Page 2 of 2
''We think this is the best vehicle to challenge Roe,'' said Brian Rooney, an attorney with the Michigan-based Thomas More Law Center, which helped draft the proposed amendments.
''Some people who are pro-life don't think the Supreme Court is of the mind to overturn it,'' Rooney added. ''We say you'll never know until you ask.''
Opponents say the proposals could have far-reaching impact if they became law, including the banning of some forms of birth control. Nancy Keenan, head of NARAL Pro-Choice America, said the measures were ''far out of the mainstream'' and were being pushed in part to re-energize ''depressed and deflated'' conservative voters.
''But we take these very seriously,'' Keenan said. ''It takes time and money to run a campaign to defeat them.''
An unrelated anti-abortion measure was pushed hard in Missouri before its backers abandoned it following a lawsuit by Planned Parenthood. The measure would have made abortion an act of ''medical negligence'' unless the woman was first evaluated for risk factors.
In California, anti-abortion forces are trying to place on the ballot a proposal requiring parental notification before a minor can obtain an abortion. California voters have twice rejected similar measures.
In South Dakota, voters two years ago rejected a measure that would have banned all abortions except to save a mother's life. Abortion foes are trying again this year, placing on the ballot another broad ban with exceptions in cases of rape, incest and serious health threat to the mother.
Beyond abortion and affirmative action, there are several other potentially volatile ballot measures.
Already qualified for Florida's ballot is a proposed state constitutional amendment outlawing same-sex marriage. Arizona legislators may place a similar measure on the ballot there, and gay-marriage opponents in California say they have submitted enough signatures to do likewise.
California's situation is noteworthy because the state Supreme Court is scheduled to rule Thursday on gay marriage. If it approves same-sex unions, a ballot measure in November would provide voters a chance to affirm or overturn that ruling.
In Arkansas, conservatives are gathering signatures for measure aimed at banning gay people from adopting or being foster parents. Another Arkansas measure would require government agencies to verify all those seeking public benefits are legal U.S. residents.
Two years ago, left-of-center groups tried to counter the conservatives' ballot-measure tactics by successfully pushing proposals in several states to raise the minimum wage. There is no such coordinated effort this year, in part because liberal forces feel optimistic about their overall election prospects.
''The right wing is organizing around same old bag of tricks on social issues, but I don't think they'll deliver as much as they expect,'' said Kristina Wilfore of the liberal Ballot Initiative Strategy Center. ''We're not as desperate as the other side to change the conversation.''
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