Ballot Initiative Watch
CI-102 Backers Fail to Gather Required Signatures With 35,873 total valid signatures collected statewide, the sponsors of CI-102 fell short of the required 48,674 signatures necessary to qualify the amendment for the ballot. Additionally, anti-choice groups qualified in only 23 of the required 40 house districts in their effort to get a total abortion ban on Novembers ballot. Supporters of this amendment intended to ban abortion in every circumstance and directly challenge Roe v. Wade. CI-102 would have undermined medical decision-making for pregnant women and their doctors, dramatically altering Montana’s constitution and jeopardizing Montana’s unique constitutional right to privacy. Backers of CI-102 have already announced they will try again to place a similar amendment on the 2012 ballot and will be back with their proposal at the 2011 legislative session. Unfortunately, we were not the only state. Anti-Choice activities have similar efforts in 30 states as they attempt to outlaw abortion and reproductive rights. |
