Albuquerque Voters Reject Restrictive Abortion Ban

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, November 19, 2013

CONTACT:

Melissa Fowler
202.667.5881; 202.595.4395 (after hours/cell)
[email protected]

Statement of Vicki Saporta, President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation (NAF):

Tonight, voters in Albuquerque rejected a ballot measure that would have banned abortion after 20 weeks in the city. This ban was the result of a campaign led by extreme abortion opponents from outside of the state; however, the citizens of Albuquerque soundly defeated it by a margin of 55 percent to 45 percent.

This measure would have had devastating consequences for women who need abortion care later in pregnancy, and for our member clinics in Albuquerque. Women need access to abortion care later in pregnancy for a variety of reasons and they should be trusted to make their medical decisions without political interference.

Although a number of states have passed similar unconstitutional 20-week bans, this is the first time a proposed 20-week ban has been decided by voters. Tonight’s victory affirms that voters respect women and don’t support government interference in their private medical decisions.

The campaign to defeat this ban was led by a group of women, families, and allied organizations called Respect Albuquerque Women. NAF was happy to send staff to Albuquerque to support our members and to help defeat this dangerous ballot initiative.

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The National Abortion Federation (NAF) is the professional association of abortion providers in North America. Our mission is to ensure safe, legal, and accessible abortion care, which promotes health and justice for women. Our members include private and non-profit clinics, Planned Parenthood affiliates, women’s health centers, physicians’ offices, and hospitals who together care for more than half the women who choose abortion in the U.S. and Canada each year. Our members also include public hospitals and both public and private clinics in Mexico City.