ND Voters to Decide on New 'Right to Life' Measure

Changes could be on the way for abortion laws in North Dakota. A new measure would declare in the state constitution that life begins at conception.

Some voters, like Megan Madden, say the amendment's wording is confusing.

Madden has tried to educate herself about the eight measures facing North Dakota, but says this one is difficult for her to understand.

"I read the paper and I've read all the brochures about it that are stuck in my door," the 27-year-old Bismarck convenience store manager said. "I understand what the measure says, but I still don't know what it really means."

The single-sentence measure would be the nation's first to amend a state constitution and require the "inalienable right to life" at "any stage of development."

Supporters say it's meant to protect the state's current abortion laws from judicial activism. Those opposed believe the intent is to outlaw abortion altogether and say the vague wording could affect birth control, end-of-life care plans, and in vitro fertilization.

"We are very Christian and very conservative," Rep. Kathy Hawken, a Republican from Fargo who supports legal abortion, said. She called the measure's wording ambiguous.

"I'm extremely hopeful people will realize this isn't the answer for banning abortion. It has other consequences and could cost the state millions of dollars in endless litigation," she said.

"That absolutely is not the intent," said Janne Myrdal, who heads ND Choose Life, a group supporting the measure. "The intent is to protect laws that are on the books already. The opposition is blatantly lying and trying to put fear in people's minds."