South Dakota measure looks to restore Roe, but abortion groups say it isn’t enough

One South Dakota ballot measure looking to restore Roe v. Wade in the state is gaining traction — but it’s also garnering pushback from some of the biggest pro-abortion organizations, who say that it isn’t going far enough in its attempts to expand abortion.

A group called Dakotans for Health submitted proposed language in summer 2022, and is now collecting signatures in the hopes of earning a spot on November’s ballot. But, unlike ballot measures undertaken in other states that have attempted to establish a constitutional ‘right’ to abortion, this organization does not have the support of some of the top names in abortion, including the ACLU and Planned Parenthood — namely because it is not seeking unrestricted abortion access for all nine months.

The proposed amendment would make abortion a constitutional ‘right’ during the first trimester, while allowing second trimester abortions only in “ways that are reasonably related to the physical health of the pregnant woman.” Third trimester abortions would only be allowed if the health of the mother was at risk (though induced abortion is never medically necessary, and a third-trimester child could quickly be delivered and given the chance to survive if his mother’s life was in danger). It’s these restrictions that have many abortion supporters balking at the measure.

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“We are not telling people to donate, or volunteer,” said Samantha Chapman, advocacy manager for the American Civil Liberties Union of South Dakota. “We are staying out of it. We’re not telling people to vote no or yes.”

“As the sole abortion provider in South Dakota for more than 30 years, Planned Parenthood is acutely aware of the impact policy language can have on patients’ lives,” said Tim Stanley, Planned Parenthood North Central States vice president of public affairs. “We stand with our partners at ACLU of South Dakota and do not support the amendment as drafted because we don’t believe it will adequately reinstate the right to abortion in South Dakota.”

According to South Dakota Searchlight, the proposed ballot measure has caused a lot of disagreement between the state’s pro-abortion organizations. The state’s pro-life community is hoping that this disunity will result in its defeat.

“The pro-life coalition is solid, and totally together on this,” said Dale Bartscher, the executive director of South Dakota Right to Life. Bartscher noted that groups in opposition include Right to Life, Family Voice, South Dakota Catholic Conference, Concerned Women for America and others. “A real unified front,” he said.

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