California Ballot Measures: November 8, 2005 Election
Flap has found a few great summary pages of the Ballot Measures which will comprise the majority of the November Special Election called by Governor Schwarzenegger. Around the Capital has California Ballot Measures November 8, 2005 Election and Bruce McPherson, California Secretary of State has 2005 Initiative Update.
So, let’s do a series of round-up posts on the measures:
Termination of Minor’s Pregnancy. Waiting Period and Parental Notification. Initiative Constitutional Amendment.
Proponents: Paul E. Laubacher and Barbara R. Laubacher (916) 381-5222
Amends California Constitution to bar abortion on unemancipated minor until 48 hours after physician notifies minor’s parent/legal guardian, except in medical emergency or with parental waiver. Permits judicial waiver of notice based on clear and convincing evidence of minor’s maturity or minor’s best interests. Physician must report abortions performed on minors and State shall compile statistics. Authorizes monetary damages for violation. Minor must consent to abortion unless mentally incapable or in medical emergency. Permits judicial relief if minor’s consent to abortion is coerced. Summary of estimate by Legislative Analyst and Director of Finance of fiscal impact on state and local governments: The net costs of this measure to Medi-Cal and other programs are unknown, but are probably not significant in the context of the total expenditures for these programs.
The text of the measure is found here.
Latest California Field Poll June 23, 2005:
Voters are narrowly supportive on this issue – 48% in favor and 42% opposed among all voters, and 48% Yes and 43% No among likely voters.
“Termination of Minor’s Pregnancy; Waiting Period and Parental Notification†initiative Republicans, conservatives, Christians and voters who are not college graduates are very much infavor of the parental notification of the teen abortion initiative. On the other hand, Democrats, liberals, moderates, college graduates, those under age 50 and voters affiliated with non-Christianreligions or with no religious preference are opposed.
Flap handicaps a close race on this initiative.
The Pro-Abortion groups will demagogue on an infringment of a women’s “Right to Choose” because they do not want to experience any decline in surgical abortion or adjunct services revenues.
If the Christian Right and Pro-Life Catholic voters turn-out they may be able to tip the balance in favor. If they stay home, it loses.
Has the Governor taken a position on this one?
Flap’s guess is he will stay away from it due to his Pro-Choice leanings and Squishy nature.