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WA Referendum 20 - Changes in Abortion Law

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Parents

> United States > Washington > Initiatives to the People > Referendum 20 - Changes in Abortion Law

Office

Type

Referendum

Filing Deadline

00, 0000 - 12:00pm

Polls Open

November 03, 1970 - 09:00am

Polls Close

November 03, 1970 - 10:00pm

Term Start

January 03, 1971 - 01:00pm

Term End

January 03, 1992 - 12:00pm

Contributor

Ralphie

Last Modified

Ralphie January 19, 2011 02:41am

Data Sources

[Link]

Description

Ballot Title:
An act permitting the termination of pregnancy when performed: (1) By or under the supervision of a licensed physician; (2) within four lunar months after conception upon a woman not quick with child who has resided in this state for at least ninety days prior to termination; (3) with the woman's consent and that of her husband, if she is residing with him, or if unmarried and under eighteen years of age, with her consent and that of her legal guardian; and providing that no objecting hospital, physician or other person shall be required to participate in a termination of pregnancy.

Historical Note:
At the time of this plebiscite approximately 15 states had liberalized abortion laws. However, with passage, Washington became the first (and to date, only) to do so through a popular referendum. This, three years prior to the United States Supreme Court's landmark Roe v. Wade decision.

Voters revisited state abortion law in 1991 with Initiative 120. While Referendum 20 amended existing law, Initiative 120 repealed the previous law. Referendum 20 had originally required the concurrence of the woman's spouse or guardian as a compromise to get enough votes to place the measure on the ballot. Initiative 120 granted the woman in question sole domain in making the decision to seek an abortion, as well as underscoring individual right to privacy. Perhaps reflecting increasing divisions over abortion policy, voters approved Initiative 120 by a mere fraction of a percentage point.

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