Government
S.D. abortion ban to go to voters
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted July 10, 2006
Opponents of South Dakota's recently enacted abortion ban succeeded in their petition drive to prevent the law from taking effect in July. South Dakota Secretary of State Chris Nelson in June certified the 16,728 signatures needed to put the measure to a vote in a binding statewide referendum on the Nov. 7 ballot.
"The people of South Dakota will now have the opportunity to express their strong opinion that this ban on nearly all abortions is far too extreme," said Sarah Stoesz, president of Planned Parenthood of Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota, which launched the effort. More than 38,000 signatures were collected, according to the group.
Intended to directly challenge Roe v. Wade, the statute would outlaw abortion in the state, unless it is necessary to save the pregnant woman's life. The measure, signed into law by Gov. Mike Rounds in March, does not include an exception for rape or incest, or to prevent serious injury to the pregnant woman's health.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2006/07/10/gvbf0710.htm.