March 14, 2024
Across the nation, many states sadly face signature collection campaigns like the one currently happening in Arizona. However, Dr. Anthony Levatino, an obstetrician/gynecologist who stopped performing abortions in the 1980’s, recently penned an op-ed in the AZ Central outlining why that campaign could be dangerously extreme.
According to the op-ed: “Arizona voters will likely see an initiative on the November ballot amending the state Constitution to allow abortion-on-demand for any reason or no reason at all up to birth.
Signatures are being collected now to get his initiative on the ballot, and you may be asked to sign one.
I urge everyone to consider carefully before doing so.
The promoters of this initiative are not explaining that the initiative would effectively legalize elective abortion up to birth.
They are promoting this measure solely on the basis of freedom of choice, women’s health care and access to abortion services without explaining what the initiative actually means legally.”
As the op-ed rightly notes, the ballot language indicates that restrictions on abortion would be virtually non-existent “up to the point of fetal viability that occurs at around 22-23 weeks of gestation on average.” That means Arizona would join almost half the nation in allowing abortion past 15 weeks. Only seven other states and Washington D.C. have more extreme abortion laws.
But these laws are unpopular with the electorate; according to data from Pew Research Center, only one in five voters favor abortion without any limits. Our own polling from Students for Life of America (SFLA) & the Demetree Institute for Pro-Life Advancement (IPA), found that 37% of the youth vote, the largest voting bloc in America, “did not want abortion legal through all 9 months of pregnancy with no limits.” Additionally:
- 36% supported parents/guardians being involved in a minor’s abortion decision.
- 24% opposed taxpayer funding.
- 21% did not want state legislators to lose their ability to pass laws that relate to abortion.
Even when a baby survives an abortion, only 9% picked an answer that mirrored the Democratic Party’s abortion views: “Nothing should be done since the mother was trying to have an abortion done.” 72% supported emergency measures including calling 911.
As we detailed in a blog on the Students for Life Action (SFLAction) website, nine states are currently undergoing these campaigns, with another two facing votes in November.
READ: Abortion IS on the Ballot: The Top Pro-Life Ballot Initiatives for 2024
Abortion is literally on the ballot in 2024, in case President Biden’s election campaign speeches and stops thus far haven’t made that abundantly clear. If a former abortion doctor can see how far these pro-abortion laws are going, then maybe the rest of America needs to pay attention.