Oregon "Right to Life" Amendment (2012)

Not on Ballot
This measure was not put on an election ballot

An Oregon "Right to Life" Amendment, also known as Initiative 22, did not make the November 6, 2012 statewide ballot as an initiated constitutional amendment.

Text of measure

The official ballot title was:

Amends Constitution: Recognizes right to life of human beings - unless sentenced to death - and embryos; prohibits abortions.

Result of "Yes" Vote: "Yes" vote amends constitution; recognizes guaranteed right to life of human beings, beginning at fertilization; excludes death-penalty murderers; prohibits abortion, certain birth control methods.

Result of "No" Vote: "No" vote retains current constitutional rights, including right to abortion, birth control; fertilized egg, embryo, fetus do not have full legal rights of a person.

Summary: Amends constitution. Under the United States Constitution, human fertilized eggs, embryos, and fetuses do not have the full legal rights of a person; abortion is permitted before a fetus becomes viable, and afterward if the woman's life or health is endangered. Oregon Constitution requires death penalty for aggravated murder upon unanimous jury findings. Measure recognizes a constitutional right to life of "person," defined as all human beings, irrespective of age, race, gender, health, "function" (undefined), "condition of dependency" (undefined). Measure guarantees right to life to persons, embryos, and fetuses, beginning at fertilization, excluding any person sentenced to death for aggravated murder. Measure prohibits abortion (without exception for the woman's health or safety) and certain birth control methods; restricts withdrawal of life support, stem cell research.

Path to the ballot

See also: Oregon signature requirements

In order to qualify for the ballot, supporters were required to collect a minimum of 116,283 valid signatures by July 6, 2012.

See also

• Oregon 2012 ballot measures
• 2012 ballot measures