On Tuesday, voters in the city of Albuquerque, New Mexico defeated the proposal that would have made it illegal to have most abortions that were late-term, in the largest city in the state. It was the first test of this type of measure on a city ballot anywhere in the U.S.
The measure would have stopped doctors from carrying out abortions within city limits on women who were more than 20 weeks pregnant, unless the life of the mother was in danger. The voters rejected the measure 55% to 45%.
Advocates for abortion rights hailed the vote as a win against the anti-abortion advocates from out of state that were seen as driving the initiative.
Those supporting the measure predicted that other proposals similar to this one could start gaining ground in other cities and states around the country.
The proposed cutoff of 20-weeks for abortions in the measure for Albuquerque allowed for few exemptions that are permitted in the majority of abortion bans that involve late-term abortions that have been approved in other U.S. states recently.
The measure contained no exceptions for those who were victims of incest or rape, and would have eliminated the ban only if it were to save the life of the mother or if the pregnancy risked a substantial or irreversible impairment physically.
Voters in the city turned out in record numbers to vote in the special election. A high turnout had been predicted because of the highly controversial type of measure, said both sides.
Full-term pregnancies typically are 40 weeks and abortions that take place after 20 weeks are very rare.
Nevertheless, opponents of abortion have pushed the limits on the landmark Roe vs. Wade decision of recent, by seeking to cut back on the option of abortion at an earlier stage of a pregnancy.
The measure in Albuquerque was similar to the restrictions that were in laws enacted in more than a dozen states based upon the highly debated research that suggested a fetus can feel pain at the 20-week point of gestation.
Two of the more than dozen states, Arkansas and North Dakota, went even further when they banned abortions as early as 12 and 6 weeks respectively.
