Current TV ads lead viewers to think that Nevada women would lose the ability to get an abortion if some Republican is elected. Wrong! Also, Ballot Measure #6 sounds like women would lose the ability to get an abortion if it is defeated. Wrong! Unfortunately, much of what you are seeing has been misinformation and scare tactics, for the purpose of scaring women to vote against Republicans and for the ballot measure. To correct these erroneous ads, here are the facts:
Since 1990, the Nevada Constitution clearly states that anyone can have an abortion for any reason in the first 24 weeks of pregnancy (6 months). (The state-by-state guide for abortion actually states that an abortion is legal in Nevada within the first 25 weeks and 5 days.) The law requires the abortion to be performed by a licensed physician in a safe environment (hospital, etc.). It can be performed at any time to save the mother’s life or to preserve her general health, including her mental health. Anyone under the age of 18 currently does not need parents’ permission to have an abortion. The law clearly states that a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy is not considered an abortion.
Ballot measure 6 (Women’s Reproductive Rights) would extend and expand the Constitution to ultimate extremes. If passed (twice), the Nevada Constitution would allow abortions to be performed on anyone for any reason up to the time of birth. Additionally, it can be performed by a “qualified healthcare professional,” which includes a physician, physician assistant, Licensed Family and Marriage Counselor, Licensed Nurse, Licensed Psychologist, Licensed Social Worker, Licensed Dietitian, or Licensed Pharmacist. Really?
Please note there are only two ways the Nevada Constitution may be amended: 1.) Two votes of approval by the Nevada Legislature (in odd-numbered years) and one by voters (in even-numbered years) per Article 16 of the state Constitution. 2.) Citizens may circulate a petition to gather signatures in support of a change to the state Constitution, per Article 19. If enough valid signatures are collected, a majority of voters must approve the proposed changes in two consecutive elections.
Therefore, altering an amendment is not easy and certainly cannot be eliminated if a candidate were elected who didn’t personally like the law. Reality is, Nevada is one vote away from a Democrat super-majority, so their accusation that if Sam Brown or other Republicans were to be elected, they would ban abortions, is simply impossible: a direct lie and misleading. State law always supersedes Federal law.
Don’t get fooled by Ballot Measure 6. VOTE NO on this extreme proposed amendment for Nevada!!
