Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains responds to Personhood Colorado’s attempt at 2012 election

For Immediate Release: Jan. 30, 2014

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Coincides with data from a new poll showing that 64 percent of Colorado voters view Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains favorably.

DENVER – For the third time in the past consecutive General Elections, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains today vowed to defeat the so-called “personhood” initiative.  This announcement comes after Personhood Colorado, the measure’s sponsor, submitted the required number of signatures to qualify its ballot initiative on the November 2012 election.

“Coloradans trust and respect women.  ‘Personhood’ measures do not respect women and their families,” said PPRM CEO Vicki Cowart.  “Today, Planned Parenthood gears up for a third campaign.  We’re hopeful that the third verse will be the same as the first and second.”

Colorado voters overwhelmingly rejected “personhood” in 2008 and 2010 – by three-to-one margins.  While the 2012 ballot initiative uses slightly different language than in years past, it has the same harmful outcomes.

"Personhood" amendments ban all abortion, specifically for victims of rape and incest.  Personal, private medical decisions would be taken out of a woman’s hands, and controlled by politicians and the government.  This includes important decisions such as what birth control to use, fertility treatments, the treatment of miscarriages, and whether or not to end a pregnancy.  These decisions are best left to a woman, her family, and her faith.  

The timing of Personhood Colorado’s announcement coincides with data from a new poll conducted by Lake Research Partners* showing that 64 percent of Colorado voters have a very or somewhat favorable view of Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains.
“Personhood” measures have been attempted in other states, but just like in Colorado, these efforts have proved futile.  Most recently:
• Voters in Mississippi— sometimes characterized as the most conservative state in the union— defeated “personhood” by a 16-point margin in the November 2011 election.
• “Personhood” supporters in Ohio, Florida, Nevada, California, and Montana failed to get enough signatures to get on the November 2012 ballot.
• The Supreme Court of Oklahoma roundly rejected a “personhood” effort in April.
“Planned Parenthood will work hard to educate voters.  We will knock on doors, canvass, phone-bank, and more.  Health decisions should be left to a woman, her doctor and her faith—not politicians or the government.  Coloradoans already voted this down twice, we hope voters will again vote ‘no,” said Cowart.

PPRM is looking forward to working with our coalition partners and reengaging the people and organizations who pledged their time, talent, and resources to defeat the 2008 and 2010 initiatives.

For more information on how you can get involved, please visit Nopersonhood.org or “like” the No On Personhood Facebook page.

*May 2012 survey of 801 likely 2012 Colorado voters.

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Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains empowers individuals and families in the communities we serve to make informed choices about their sexual and reproductive health by providing high quality health services, comprehensive sex education, and strategic advocacy. More than 123,000 women, men, and young adults annually visit our 28 health centers throughout Colorado, New Mexico, Southern Nevada, and Wyoming. Since 1916, we have been the region’s most trusted provider of reproductive health care. For more information about Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, call 1.800.230.PLAN or visit pprm.org for the health center nearest you.