Idaho May Have Abortions Up to Birth Ballot Measure

Supporters of a radically pro-abortion ballot initiative turned in nearly 110,000 signatures Thursday outside the Idaho State Capitol

This is their effort to place on the November ballot a measure that pro-life advocates warn would support the killing of unborn babies in abortions, potentially even up to birth.

The so-called Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act, backed by Idahoans United for Women and Families, would legalize abortion until fetal viability or in supposed medical emergencies up to birth. It would also create a fake right to abortion.

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The Idaho Secretary of State’s Office confirmed receipt of the signatures. Verification is still needed to confirm whether the measure meets the required thresholds of at least 6 percent of registered voters statewide and in at least 18 of the state’s 35 legislative districts.

If it qualifies, a simple majority vote would be required for passage.

Pro-life leaders argue the initiative’s definition of viability could permit abortions up to birth in cases involving severe prenatal diagnoses. The definition hinges on a physician’s “good faith medical judgment” of whether the unborn child has a “significant likelihood of sustained survival outside of the uterus without extraordinary medical measures.” This could apply to conditions such as certain heart defects where survival is possible only with extraordinary intervention.

David Ripley of Idaho Chooses Life has stated that the measure allows abortion up to birth, though “not for any reason.”

Idaho currently enforces one of the nation’s most protective abortion bans. The law carries felony penalties for abortionists for killing babies, including loss of medical licensure and civil lawsuits from the families of unborn children. Exceptions are limited to preventing the death of the mother or narrow first-trimester cases of reported rape or incest.

Melanie Folwell, executive director of Idahoans United for Women and Families, said at the signature submission: “We petition our government” and “make no mistake, we have qualified to be on the ballot in November.”

She added: “We have asked our Legislature to act… for four years… they have failed to act… we acted” through the citizen initiative.

About a dozen pro-life protesters gathered at the event holding signs that read “abortion is murder,” “death is not welcome here,” and “the violence of abortion must end.”

The Idaho Republican Party has approved a resolution to repeal the initiative if voters approve it.