What's a "personhood" measure? It's code for a new way to ban abortion. This anti-choice tactic redefines the word "personhood" to say that life begins at conception even before doctors say a pregnancy occurs! It thus gives legal rights to a fertilized egg. Anti-choice groups are trying to advance these extreme so-called "personhood" measures in states across the country. We must stop them from becoming law.
The Challenge
"Personhood" measures are dangerous for women. They would outlaw abortion. They could also lead to bans on many forms of birth control, stem-cell research, and in-vitro fertilization.
Anti-choice supporters also want to challenge laws that protect legal abortion. If they pass a "personhood" measure in just one state, that's all it will take to start a legal challenge to Roe v. Wade. Roe is the Supreme Court decision that protects women's access to safe, legal abortion.
So far, voters have opposed these measures. However, anti-choice extremists won't give up. They are organizing in communities across the country.
Our Solution
"Personhood" laws are bad for women's health and privacy. Thankfully, voters in Mississippi rejected a “personhood” measure in November 2011. Coloradans have also voted against “personhood” measures twice, in 2008 and again in 2010.
We must stop "personhood" measures from getting on the ballot in more states. We must stop state legislatures from passing "personhood" bills. The best way to defeat this new strategy to ban abortion is to educate voters.
