Victory: Moving On

By Shannon S.

Time certainly does fly, doesn't it? It's been two weeks since the overwhelming defeat of Initiated Measure 11. Exciting wasn't it? Once again, the voters of South Dakota spoke loud and clear: there is no desire for the Government to interfere in what are very personal decisions; there is no desire for the Government to interfere in the doctor/patient relationship.

Thanks to all of you who supported the South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families in it's efforts to defeat this sweeping ban. Thank you for seeing IM 11 for what it really was, despite how our opposition "worded" it.

Now, it's time to look to the future. This is a mandate from the voters of this state. It's time to stop attempts at banning abortion, and instead work together on reducing the need for abortion care in the state. We can do that by working together on affordable and easy access to birth control, including emergency contraception. We can reduce unintended pregnancies through comprehensive sex education.

I am hopeful our opposition has heard the message and I'm hopeful that our elected officials have heard the message.

There is still much work to do. Let's get to it.

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Happy Election Day

VOTE NO ON 11!

It's election day. Thank you to all of you who've been so supportive throughout this election cycle.

Don't forget to vote!

VOTE, VOTE, VOTE!

Tomorrow is November 4th, Election Day! All the work PP and the CHF has been doing boils down to the voters of South Dakota Casting their Ballots.

Please don't forget to vote... every vote truly does matter.

In case you're not sure where to vote, the Secretary of States Office has set up a link. Please check it out and make your voice heard.

https://apps.sd.gov/applications/st25cers/

In the News

RAPID CITY JOUNRAL

KDLT
Measure 11

ABERDEEN
Personal is Personal

SEATTLE TIMES
Divisive Social Issues on State Ballots

RH REALITY CHECK
Not all Politics is Local: Connecting the Dots on Anti-Abortion Initiatives

Video: CBS on SD Abortion Ban as Polls in CA, CO and SD Trend Toward Preserving Women's Rights

CBS Evening News Highlights Abortion Fight in South Dakota

In the News

PLANNED PARENTHOOD ACTION FUND
Fighting the Abortion Ban 2.0

DAKOTA WOMEN
The Circus is Coming to town

SOUTH DACOLA
2008 Election Predictions; UPDATED

KTIV
Abortion Ban Focuses Nation's Attention

RH REALITY CHECK
SD Abortion Ban in Dead Heat

Repercussions for Women

by Karina
Web Editor
Planned Parenthood Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota Action Fund

Just wanted to take a second to share with you this extremely compelling video from the National Advocates for Pregnant Women about some of the repercussions involved with passing anti-choice laws, including laws like the abortion ban in South Dakota. (via feministing)

Issues surrounding abortion are much more complex than I think most people realize.  This video perfectly illustrates the profound consequences that we face when we pass backsliding, anti-choice legislation.  I hope people will begin to realize that the only way to compromise on this extremely personal issue is to focus on reducing the rates of unintended pregnancy through better access to family planning and a comprehensive approach to sexual education.

There is still time to help ensure that the abortion ban in South Dakota is defeated.  Visit the South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families to make a donation and stop the abortion ban and the backsliding of women’s rights.

GET OUT THE VOTE!

Please help the SD Campaign for Healthy Families Get out the Vote on November 4th.

Efforts start on FRIDAY!

Sign up for your shift TODAY!

Rapid City Journal says vote NO!

RAPID CITY JOURNAL
By the Journal Editorial Board
Abortion Should Remain a Family Decision

No other issue in South Dakota this year has generated the same level of
emotion and attention as Initiated Measure 11 — the measure to ban abortions in
South Dakota with a few exceptions.

In 2006, the state’s voters rejected a similar measure, although one that contained no exceptions under any circumstances. That all encompassing ban has led to the 2008 version the state will vote on early next week.

We do not support Initiated Measure 11, and recommend a no vote.

Clearly the measure would be challenged and would likely make its way
to the Supreme Court. Remember, in 2006 the legal challenge and subsequent path
to the Supreme Court to challenge Roe v. Wade, was the intent of abortion ban
authors.

South Dakota should not be put in this position to run point on this
issue and then be forced to manage the legal costs for many years to come. The
state will be spending money fighting a battle it should not be involved with in
the first place.

What would a legal challenge cost the state of South Dakota? How many
millions of dollars should state taxpayers be asked to invest in a challenge to
a federal law rather than spending the same money on education, the highway
system or many of the other state needs?

Some in the medical community have concerns about the measure, pointing
out the standards imposed on the medical community could effect the doctor’s
treatment of a patient. The government and attorneys should not be making
decisions best left to a doctor and his or her patient.

Read more