Special Election 2005: Prop 73

With the election approaching in a little over a week, I thought this would be a good opportunity to discuss my position on each of the ballot measures we voters are going to be faced with. I will quote the summarized description from the official election documents and present how I will vote with my reasoning. Feel free to agree, disagree, and expand on my thoughts.

Prop. 73:

• Amends California Constitution, prohibiting abortion for unemancipated minor until 48 hours after physician notifi es minor’s parent/legal guardian, except in medical emergency or with parental waiver.
• Defines abortion as causing “death of the unborn child, a child conceived but not yet born.”
• Permits minor to obtain court order waiving notice based on clear, convincing evidence of minor’s maturity or best interests.
• Mandates various reporting requirements.
• Authorizes monetary damages against physicians for violation.
• Requires minor’s consent to abortion, with certain exceptions.
• Permits judicial relief if minor’s consent coerced.

My vote: Yes.

This really does little to change the situation regarding minors receiving abortions in California. Right now they can get them without parental consent, the parents don’t even have to know. If this proposition passes, it just requires a notice to be sent to the parent and the minor has to wait 2 days. Opposition to this proposition might say it creates a requirement for PARENTAL CONSENT, but it does not, it only creates a requirement of PARENTAL NOTIFICATION. If I was a parent I would definetely want to know what dangerous behavior my child is participating in and I am sure the vast majority of parents feel the same way. Minors can’t make other decisions without the explicit consent of their parents (try giving a kid aspirin in a public school) so why keep parents in the dark when it comes to giving kids (if you are a minor and stupid enough to get pregnant, you are a kid) abortions.