Personhood Measures Fail in Both Colorado and North Dakota
So-called "personhood" measures have failed in both states where they were on the ballot this election. Voters in North Dakota rejected Measure 1, a constitutional amendment declaring an "inalienable right to life of every human being at any stage of development." And Colorado voters rejected Amendment 67, Personhood USA's efforts to change the Colorado constitution to define "unborn human beings" as people.
Personhood USA fought for—and Colorado voters rejected—similar changes to Colorado's constitution in 2008 and 2010.
"Voters in Colorado have, for the third time, seen through an attempt to advance an extreme measure that wouldn't just ban abortion, but potentially throw women and their doctors behind bars for obtaining or providing many basic reproductive health care services including contraception and fertility treatments," said Nancy Northup, president and CEO of the Center for Reproductive Rights.
Amendment 67 was rejected by about 64 percent of Colorado voters, according to The Denver Post.
The Colorado personhood initiative wasn't expected to pass, but anti-abortion advocates had higher hopes for North Dakota.
"Today's victory at the North Dakota ballot box is yet another in a long history of voters from different political backgrounds and personal philosophies rejecting these extreme and unconstitutional ballot measures," said Northup.