SAN FRANCISCO (AP):California voters will decide next week whether to make it harder for girls to terminate pregnancies without their parents' knowledge.
Proposition 73 on Tuesday's ballot would require doctors to give a parent or guardian written notice at least 48 hours before performing an abortion on a minor. Both abortion rights activists and backers of the proposed amendment agree the race is competitive enough that either side could prevail by mobilising motivated voters.
"This is going to be a close one," said Steve Smith, campaign manager for the Campaign for Teen Safety, the anti-amendment group spearheaded by Planned Parenthood.
If the proposal passes, California would become the 35th U.S. state with an abortion law requiring either parental notification or consent. National abortion rights advocates are concerned.
"I hope it's not a bellwether and I hope it doesn't pass," said Dr. Wendy Chavkin, chairwoman of Physicians for Reproductive Choice and Health, which dispatched doctors to debates and public meetings as part of the "No on 73" campaign. Although adults would not have to give permission for a girl to get an abortion under the proposed law, sponsors hope the notification requirement would reduce California's teen abortion rate the nation's fourth-highest by getting parents in on the decision.
