Thursday, August 9, 2007

Anti-abortion amendment on fall ballot? Colorado Confidential brings everyone up to date on the proposed anti-abortion amendment for the fall ballot. They write: A veritable who's who of reproductive health champions filed a legal challenge with the Colorado Supreme Court late yesterday to stem a proposed ballot measure that would advance anti-abortion law and limit access to some contraception methods. The action is designed to thwart a proposed state constitutional amendment that was initiated by the recently-formed Colorado for Equal Rights. The group won approval last month to begin collecting ballot petition signatures to ask Colorado voters to decide: is a fertilized egg a person with legal rights and Constitutionally-protected due process? Wendy Norris :: Scrambling the 'Egg-as-Person' Ballot Measure It's likely that this is just the first skirmish in a series of legal battles and political moves. Category: Denver November 2007 Election 6:48:30 PM

Anti-abortion amendment on fall ballot? Opponents have filed a challenge to the proposed anti-abortion amendment for the fall ballot, according to The Denver Post. From the article: A proposed ballot measure that would define a fertilized egg as a person in Colorado's constitution was called deceptive and dangerous by opponents, who filed a challenge to the measure today with the Colorado Supreme Court. The proponents of the bill have made it clear that the purpose of measure is to stop abortion, said Lizzy Annison, public affairs director for Colorado and Wyoming Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains. "That the title in this measure does not tell voters that that is what they will be voting on is unacceptable," she said. If the measure is enacted, Annison said, its ramifications would be far-reaching, affecting a woman's right to use hormonal birth controls and couples' use of in vitro fertilization. "Every fertilized egg, whether carried by a woman or stored as part of the in vitro process ... could be defined as a person and could have rights," she said. A three-member Ballot Title Board unanimously approved the measure's language Aug. 1. "The title board discussed that issue and was briefed on that issue and decided it is not deception," said Mark Meuser, a legal advisor who supports the measure. Category: Denver November 2007 Election 7:03:25 AM

© Copyright 2007 John Orr. Last update: 9/2/07; 9:10:33 AM.