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Washington Referendum 20, Abortion Legalization to Four Months Measure (1970)
| Washington Referendum 20 | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Election date November 3, 1970 | |
| Topic Abortion | |
Status Approved | |
| Type State statute | Origin State legislature |
Washington Referendum 20, the Abortion Legalization to Four Months Measure, was on the ballot in Washington as a legislatively referred state statute on November 3, 1970. The ballot measure was approved.
A "yes" vote supported legalizing abortion for women "not quick with child" and within the "four lunar months after conception." |
A "no" vote opposed the ballot measure, thus keeping the then-existing law that prohibited abortion except in cases to preserve the mother's life. |
Overview
What did Referendum 20 change about abortion law in Washington?
Referendum 20 legalized abortion for women "not quick with child" and within the "four lunar months after conception." Prior to Referendum 20, abortion was a criminal offense in Washington, except in cases to preserve the mother's life.[1]
The ballot measure required that before an abortion could be performed, a married woman's husband must consent or a woman's parents must consent when she is unmarried and under the age of 18. Under Referendum 20, a woman must have also resided in the state for at least 90 days before an abortion could be performed.[1]
Election results
|
Washington Referendum 20 |
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Result | Votes | Percentage | ||
|
|
599,959 | 56.49% | ||
| No | 462,174 | 43.51% | ||
Text of measure
Ballot title
The ballot title was as follows:[1]
| “ | An act permitting the termination of pregnancy when performed: (1) By or under the supervision of a licensed physician; (2) within four lunar months after conception upon a woman not quick with child who has resided in this state for at least ninety days prior to termination; (3) with the woman's consent and that of her husband, if she is residing with him, or if unmarried and under eighteen years of age, with her consent and that of her legal guardian; and providing that no objecting hospital, physician or other person shall be required to participate in a termination of pregnancy.[2] | ” |
Support
Arguments
Opposition
Arguments
Path to the ballot
Referendum 20 was a legislatively referred state statute. A simple majority vote was required in both chambers of the Washington State Legislature.
The ballot measure was introduced into the Legislature as Senate Bill 68 (SB 68). The Washington State Senate passed SB 68 on January 30, 1970. The Washington House of Representatives passed the bill on February 4, 1970.[1]
See also
Footnotes
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State of Washington Olympia (capital) |
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