politics
Idaho Secretary of State Certifies Abortion-Access Ballot Measure That Would Overturn Near-Total Ban
The measure would replace the state's near-total ban with a law permitting abortion up to fetal viability. Idahoans United for Women & Families submitted more than 100,000 signatures to qualify the initiative.
Jul 13, 7:03 PM·1m read1 source
The GuardianAudio version
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Idaho’s secretary of state certified a ballot measure on Monday that would reverse the state’s abortion ban prohibiting the procedure at all stages of pregnancy, The Guardian reported. The initiative, led by the volunteer group Idahoans United for Women & Families, collected more than 100,000 signatures, exceeding the 70,725 required for placement on the November ballot.
If approved by voters, the measure would enact a statute on reproductive freedom rather than amend the state constitution.
The law would permit abortion until fetal viability, generally around 21 weeks of pregnancy, and allow individuals to decide on abortion, contraception and fertility treatment. Idaho is one of six states whose current ban lacks exceptions for the health of the pregnant girl or woman. The existing statute permits abortion only to save the woman’s life or in cases of rape or incest.
In 2023 Idaho became the first state to criminalize assisting a minor in obtaining an abortion without parental consent. Four women sued the state in 2023 after experiencing pregnancy complications and being denied abortions.
