Revere Birth Control Question, 2009

The Revere Birth Control Question was on the November 3, 2009 ballot in Suffolk County, Massachusetts in the city of Revere.

Election result

Revere Birth Control Question
Result		Votes	Percentage
d No		3404	40.01%
Yes		2,695	31.68%
Total votes		8508	100.00%
Voter turnout		35.97%

The measure was being supported by a group of Revere citizens, some of whom have children that attend Revere High School. The proposed ballot question asked residents whether or not to proceed with an approved policy that allows students to receive contraceptives with a parent’s consent. The policy was approved by Massachusetts General Hospital‘s school-based clinic, where students would be able to receive birth control items such as Plan B, or “the morning after pill”.

Residents had to gather signatures to put the question on the ballot. According to Kathleen Magno, spokeswoman for the group who had circulated the petition: “School is not the place for these types of services to be available."

During Labor Day Weekend 2009, Magno and supporters gathered signatures in hopes of collecting the required number of 1,875, which represents 8 percent of the city's registered voters. The signatures were approved, clearing a hurdle and all but assuring the measure will be placed on the ballot. The school board has until September 29, 2009 to accept the terms of the referendum, or it will be placed on the November ballot.

The questions sought to implement an advisory council that would assess the health risks to the students in regards to using contraceptives and abstinence.

Opposition

Mayor Tom Ambrosino and Superintendent Paul Dakin have stated that these actions to provide contraceptives are justified and necessary. They stated that these procedures protect students from the risks that come with sexual activitiy, including unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.

According to Dakin “You’re not going to stop a 16-year-old. Once they bite of the fruit they’re not going back.