Abortion rights advocates cast early votes

By Katie Brown, Journal Staff Writer | Tuesday, September 26, 2006

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RAPID CITY -- Supporters of the South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families were at the Pennington County Courthouse Tuesday to vote no on Referred Law 6, the law that would ban all abortions except to save the mother’s life.

Leah Johnson, West River director for the South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families, said many of the organization’s supporters were out Tuesday to take advantage of their first opportunity to vote against the law.

Tuesday was the first day South Dakotans could vote in this fall’s election. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7, and voters can cast their ballots any time between now and then.

Johnson said the goal of the Campaign for Healthy Families is two-fold: To encourage people to vote no on Referred Law 6 and to encourage people to take time to understand the issues before voting.

“We want to encourage supporters to vote no on Referred Law 6 because it is too rigid for South Dakota and leaves families without options,” Johnson said.

She said because there are so many issues on the ballot this election, it is a good idea for people to vote early so they do not have to wait in line or feel rushed.

“We want people to really understand the restrictiveness of Referred Law 6,” she said.

Leslee Unruh, campaign manager for VoteYesForLife.com, an anti-abortion organization based in Sioux Falls, said her organization’s education campaign focuses on how abortion hurts women.

“It has been about women’s health and the fact that abortion hurts women and ends the life of a separate human being,” she said.

She said VoteYesForLife.com will continue working to educate voters on Referred Law 6 throughout the next couple months.

“We are confident that once people understand the law and see that it is necessary, as our legislators did, they will vote yes on Referred Law 6,” Unruh said.

Dorothy Brewick of Democracy in Action said having a presence on the first day South Dakotans can vote on Referred Law 6 is significant because it can make the public aware that voting early is an option.

“It’s more convenient and people can take their time,” Brewick said.

She said the early voting option gives people the opportunity to vote when it fits their schedule. South Dakotans do not need to provide an excuse to vote absentee.

“There are a lot of reasons people don’t vote on Election Day,” she said. “Weather, work, baby-sitting.”

When it comes time to vote on controversial Referred Law 6, Brewick hopes people will take their time.

“It’s essential that people study it and look at all sides to make an educated decision based on facts,” she said. “Remember that one vote can make a difference.”

Contact Katie Brown at 394-8318 or katie.brown@rapidcityjournal.com