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North Dakota Measure 1, Abortion Legalization to 20 Weeks Initiative (1972)
| North Dakota Measure 1 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election date November 7, 1972 | |
| Topic Abortion | |
Status Defeated | |
| Type State statute | Origin Citizens |
North Dakota Measure 1, the Abortion Legalization to 20 Weeks Initiative Initiative, was on the ballot in North Dakota as an initiated state statute on November 7, 1972. The ballot measure was defeated.
A "yes" vote supported allowing physicians to perform abortions when a woman's period of gestation has not exceeded 20 weeks. |
A "no" vote opposed allowing physicians to perform abortions when a woman's period of gestation has not exceeded 20 weeks. |
Election results
|
North Dakota Measure 1 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
| Yes | 62,604 | 23.41% | ||
|
|
204,852 | 76.59% | ||
Overview
What would Measure 1 have changed about abortion law in North Dakota?
Measure 1, a citizen-initiated ballot measure, was designed to legalize abortion for the period of gestation that has not exceeded 20 weeks. Women under 18 years old would have been required to receive consent from their legal guardian or husband before obtaining an abortion.[1]
The then-existing law prohibited abortions in North Dakota, except in cases when the woman's life is in danger.[2]
On November 7, 76.59% of voters rejected Measure 1, and the initiative was defeated.
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title was as follows:[1]
| “ |
Allows termination of the pregnancy of a woman not quick with child by a physician licensed under Chapter 43-17 - PHYSICIANS AND SURGEONS - NDCC, provided that; gestation is not more than 20 weeks; she has consented; if she is under the age of eighteen years, her husband or legal guardian has consented; she has resided in this state for at least ninety days prior to the date of termination; and that such termination be performed in a hospital accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospitals or a medical facility approved for that purpose by the State Department of Health. If a physician determines that termination is immediately necessary to meet the medical emergency, the pregnancy may be terminated elsewhere. No hospital nor any person shall be under any duty to participate in a termination of pregnancy if such hospital or person objects to such termination. No such person shall be discriminated against in employment or professional privileges because he so objects.[3] |
” |
Ballot summary
The ballot summary was as follows:[1]
| “ |
Be it enacted by the people of the state of North Dakota: A “yes” vote means you approve this Act allowing the termination of pregnancy if certain pre-conditions are present. A “no” vote means you reject this Act allowing the termination of pregnancy if certain pre-conditions are present. Shall said initiated statute (measure) be approved?[3] |
” |
Support
The N.D. Abortion Initiative Committee led the campaign in support of the ballot measure.[4]
Arguments
Opposition
North Dakota Right to Life led the campaign in opposition to the ballot measure.[4]
Arguments
Path to the ballot
Measure 1 was an initiated state statute. Proponents filed 11,198 signatures, and Secretary of State Ben Meier (R) reported that 10,845 signatures were valid.[5]
See also
Footnotes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 The Bismarck Tribune, "Measure 1 Sample Ballot," accessed May 19, 2022
- ↑ The Bismarck Tribune, "Abortion measure seen as major voter magnet," November 6, 1972
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 The Bismarck Tribune, "Anti-abortion group hit for 'fear tactics'," November 3, 1972
- ↑ The Bismarck Tribune, "Abortion on ballot," September 14, 1972
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State of North Dakota Bismarck (capital) |
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