North Dakota Voters Reject Personhood Measure
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, November 4, 2014
CONTACT:
Alissa Manzoeillo
202.667.5881 ext 219; 202.595.4395 (after hours/cell)
amanzoeillo@prochoice.org
North Dakota Voters Reject Personhood Measure
Statement of Vicki Saporta, President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation (NAF):
Today, North Dakota voters rejected Measure 1, an intentionally vague “personhood” amendment, which could have criminalized all abortions in the state.
“This amendment was a blatant attempt to ban all abortions in North Dakota,” said Vicki Saporta, President and CEO of the National Abortion Federation (NAF). “The bill’s sponsor even admitted it was intended to present a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade.”
In addition to outlawing abortion care, Measure 1 could have outlawed some commonly used birth control methods like IUDs and emergency contraception. It also could have put in vitro fertilization and end-of-life choices at risk of criminalization.
Measure 1 was opposed by leading lawyers and doctors in North Dakota, and even AARP expressed concerns about the implications of this measure.
“Measure 1 would have allowed the government to intrude on personal, private medical decisions,” said Saporta. “Fortunately, North Dakota voters saw through the misleading information and vague language, and chose to protect their rights to prevent or terminate an unwanted pregnancy, seek fertility treatment to become pregnant, or make personal end-of-life decisions.”
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