A poll released Thursday shows California voters are almost
evenly divided over an initiative that would require doctors to
notify parents before terminating minor
’s pregnancies, with 48 percent supporting the measure and 42
percent opposed.
A poll released Thursday shows California voters are almost evenly divided over an initiative that would require doctors to notify parents before terminating minor’s pregnancies, with 48 percent supporting the measure and 42 percent opposed. The poll’s margin of error is 3.8 percent.
Katie Desmond, spokeswoman for Planned Parenthood serving Santa Clara and San Benito counties, said she hopes the result means her agency will have a chance to turn public opinion against the measure, which would alter the state’s constitution.
“Californians are justifiably cautious when it comes to statewide constitutional changes, especially when those changes affect their homes and families,” Desmond said. “As the campaign unfolds, we will continue to point out the flaws of this very difficult proposal which could affect the health and safety of thousands of young women.”
In 1987, Planned Parenthood successfully challenged a law that required doctors to get parental consent before they could perform abortions on minors. Desmond said such laws endanger girls for whom it may unsafe to reveal their pregnancies to their parents.
Supporters of the measure argue that if parental consent is necessary for pierced ears and R-rated movies, it should be required for something as important as an abortion. They say girls would be protected by the initiative’s clause that allows a judge to waive the rule with a finding that the minor is at risk at home or of a medical emergency. There are currently notification laws in effect in 33 states.
Results for all Field polls are available at http://field.com/fieldpollonline/subscribers/.
Matt King covers Santa Clara County for The Morgan Hill Times. Reach him at 847-7240 or mk***@gi************.com.
