Montana Life Begins at Conception Initiative (2010)
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A Montana Life Begins at Conception Initiative is a proposed initiated constitutional amendment that would amend the Montana Constitution to say that human life begins at fertilization.Supporters of the measure hope to qualify it for the November 2010 ballot in Montana.[1]
Two different groups filed proposed language for three different versions of a pro-life amendment (Issue #2, Issue #3 and Issue #5). In July, they joined forces behind a fourth proposed amendment, Issue #4. In response to questions about their language from the Montana Legislative Services Division, which is a state agency in charge of reviewing ballot measure language, the groups revised the language, and are currently engaged in dialgoue with the Legislative Services Division.[2][3]
Montana Attorney General Steve Bullock approved the ballot language during the week of September 4, 2009. However, opponents stated that the proposed ballot measure's language is misleading and also does not take into consideration a woman's right to privacy.[4]
An effort in Montana in 2008 to qualify the Montana Right To Life Initiative for the ballot was unsuccessful in collecting sufficient signatures to earn a spot on the ballot.
Supporters
Supporters of the proposed amendment include:
- Annie Bukacek, a physican in Kalispell who is the head of the Montana ProLife Coalition.[5]
- State representative Wendy Warburton.
- State Senator Jonathan Windy Boy
- Former state representative Rick Jore.
- Former state representative Roger Koopman.
Events
On October 16, 2009 religious leaders and other supporters of the initiative gathered in Great Falls, Montana for a personhood conference. The conference, held at the Great Falls Christian Center, will include signature gathering workshops and a panel of speakers that include state senators. The conference is the first of three conferences that will be held across the state during the weekend of October 16 to October 18. According to the president of Montana ProLife Coalition, Annie Bukacek: "We are thrilled to be getting together before this grand group of speakers. We will be there to share ideas, learn and rally for the legal designation of personhood for defenseless unborn humans that have been stripped of legal status in this country."[6]
Opposition
The main opposition that the proposed amendment faces is the Helena-based NARAL/Pro-Choice Montana. According to the group, there is a lot of doubt that proponents will gather enough signatures for the question to make the ballot. In the event that supporters do get sufficient signatures, opponents are confident that Montana voters will reject the amendment.[7]
The Montana Catholic Conference, usually a pro-life cornerstone, opposes the measure, stating skepticism in the strategy of fully challenging the Roe v. Wade decision. According to Moe Wosepka, executive director of the group: "We want nothing more than to end abortions. We just have different strategies."
Instead of the personhoon amendment, the group stated that attention should be turned to the Montana constitution's liberal privacy clause.
Path to the ballot
- See also: Montana signature requirements
To qualify the measure, 48,673 signatures must be collected by June 18, 2010.
See also
External links
References
- ↑ Montana's News Station, "Anti-abortion backers push for ballot initiative", May 21, 2009
- ↑ Billings Gazette, "Abortion foes combine constitutional initiatives", July 29, 2009
- ↑ Montana Secretary of State, "Proposed 2010 ballot measures"
- ↑ Montana's News Station, "Montana AG approves language for abortion restriction initiative", September 4, 2009
- ↑ Great Falls Tribune, "Group pushes for anti-abortion measure", July 2, 2009
- ↑ Great Falls Tribune, "Pro-life group holds 'personhood' event", October 16, 2009
- ↑ Havre Daily News, "Pro-lifers want amendment, foes vow fight", November 2, 2009
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