Oregon's Measure 43 Fails

Oregon’s Measure 43 has been defeated, according to The Oregonian. The measure, sponsored by Focus on the Family and other leaders in the Religious Right, would have required parental notification for minors seeking abortions – with no exemptions for those who were victims of incest or domestic violence. The measure was opposed by medical groups and children’s advocacy groups. There was a lot of conversation here on this blog about the measure as the campaign moved forward. As a minister, I opposed the measure because it would have put young women at risk and the last thing that teens need when seeking health care are legal roadblocks put in their way by the Religious Right. Oregon voters made a moral choice tonight.  Now that this election is over we should all work to reduce teen pregnancy in Oregon through education and prevention.