Albuquerque Voters Reject 20 Week Abortion Ban

By Carrie Jung, KUNM
November 20, 2013

Voters in Albuquerque have rejected a ban on late term abortions. Unofficial results from the city clerk's office show that about 55 percent of voters cast ballots against the controversial measure yesterday.

The proposed ban would have made it illegal to terminate a pregnancy after 20 weeks, with a slight exception for when a mother's life is in danger.

Tara Shaver is with Project Defending Life. She says, the loss is disappointing, but insists this isn't the end of the battle.

"This is a battle between life and death. And it's really unfortunate that the citizens of Albuquerque are siding on the side of death," Shaver said.

Abortion rights supporters celebrated the victory last night. Young Women United's Micaela Cadena says she's proud that so many Albuquerque voters made it to the polls to stand against the measure.

"We in Albuquerque understand that every pregnancy is different and this decision needs to remain with women and their doctors without government interference," Cadena said.

Both sides maintain this is the first time the country has seen a vote on the issue at the municipal level.