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June 10, 2019 09:43 AM UTC

Coloradans Could Vote on Banning Abortions Later in Pregnancy in 2020

  • 14 Comments
  • by: Madeleine Schmidt

(One election away… – Promoted by Colorado Pols)

Abortion opponents have filed a ballot initiative in Colorado to ban what they refer to as “late-term abortions.”

The initiative, which would be up for a vote in 2020 if proponents gather the 124,632 signatures required to make it on the ballot, would ban nearly all abortions after 22 weeks gestation, around five months of pregnancy.

The proposed initiative contains no exceptions for rape or incest, and while there is an exception for abortions that are necessary to save the life of the mother, there are no exceptions for abortions to protect the health of the mother in cases that are not considered to be life-threatening. It also specifically states that “psychological or emotional conditions” that threaten the life of the mother will not be included as exceptions.

Doctors who perform unlawful abortions under this measure would be subject to a class three felony, punishable by up to 16 years in prison. It’s unclear, however, if women who perform abortions on themselves, or even have accidents that lead to miscarriage, would be subject to criminal prosecution as well.

Although the initiative states that “a woman on whom an abortion is performed… cannot be charged with a crime,” it also states that “any person who intentionally or recklessly performs or induces or attempts to perform or induce an abortion… is guilty of a class 3 felony.” [emphasis added]

The proposed ban comes in the wake of a nationwide wave of strict regulations on abortion, particularly in southern states like Alabama and Georgia, where near-total bans have been signed into law.

It can also be seen as the product of a recent escalation in inflammatory rhetoric and misinformation around the small percentage of abortions that occur later in pregnancy.

Anti-choice ballot initiatives have a poor track record in the state. Colorado voters have rejected three ballot measures in recent years that would have defined life as beginning at conception in Colorado’s constitution, thereby establishing “fetal personhood,” or the conferring of legal rights to fertilized eggs and fetuses.

A personhood initiative was voted on most recently in 2014, when it only received 35 percent of the vote. In 2008 and 2010, fetal personhood initiatives failed to break 30 percent.

Still, reproductive rights advocates are likely to see the 2020 initiative as a back door attempt at establishing fetal personhood, given that it describes a fertilized egg or fetus as an “unborn child.”

Unlike the personhood initiatives, which would have amended the state’s constitution, this new initiative is statutory.

Ballot initiatives seeking to change state statute require fewer signatures than those proposing constitutional amendments, meaning it will be easier to get this initiative on the ballot and up for a vote. But they’re also less permanent, since the state’s legislature has the ability to amend existing statute. If approved by voters, the ban could be threatened by pro-choice lawmakers in Colorado’s Democratically-controlled legislature and by the state’s pro-choice governor.

The initiative has been submitted to the Secretary of State’s office and now awaits a Title Board hearing to determine whether it meets state requirements and can move forward.

Comments

14 thoughts on “Coloradans Could Vote on Banning Abortions Later in Pregnancy in 2020

  1. This will be a great opportunity for Democratic senate candidates to underscore their commitment to women's healthcare.  Defeat it by coming out against this trash and rallying supporters to do the same.

    1. Not just US Senate candidates, but everyone running for office in 2020, especially State legislators.

      Every female member of my family would be affected by this bill, including my mother, who had several miscarriages, which would have had to be investigated to see if they were “legit”.

      Yes, it is a piece of trash that needs to be roundly defeated. Hopefully, they won’t get signatures enough to get it on the ballot.

  2. It's a cheap stunt, but it will serve its purpose; to get the misogynists out to the polls, because Trump's stench might keep some of them away. 

    1. I suspect it would be pulling voters favoring and opposing the proposition to the polls. I fear that by the time we'd vote on it, the Supreme Court will have ruled and changed the ground for the debate, too.

  3. Come on, Madeleine Schmidt. Give it up.

    Inquiring minds want to know the names of the religious zealots; Colorado's bedroom police; who are pushing this proposal.

    1. Secretary of State's site has this:  #108 Prohibition on Late-Term Abortions.  Awaiting initial hearing

      * Unofficial caption assigned by legislative staff for tracking purposes.

      Status: Awaiting initial hearing

      Designated representatives

      Erin Behrens
      Giuliana Day
      3440 Youngfield St. #283
      Wheat Ridge, CO 80033

      Agenda & meeting summary

      • TBD

      Filings (PDF)

      1. Thanks, J in D. The address appears to be in a small office park north of Applejack Liquors and a King Sooper’s shopping center. Thinking I may drop by there tomorrow to see what business entity is on the directory for that number.

        Since there is reference to a hearing, does that mean that citizens have a right to appear and object?

      2. Both of these names have popped up in CO politics in the past.

        Erin Behrens has been associated with Colorado Votes Matter, a pro-Trump group who thought the COGOP worked against Trump.

        Giuliana Day is a Peruvian immigrant who was featured in several conversations and protests against this year's sex ed bill.

  4. They will get the signatures. And about 25% of the vote, if they are lucky. I think that is their ceiling. And floor.

    Kristi Burton Brown, your fifteen minutes of Warholian fame have arrived.

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