The American Taliban were dealt a setback last night, with the defeat of a strict abortion ban in one of the most conservative parts of the country.
SIOUX FALLS, South Dakota (Reuters) — South Dakota voters overturned on Tuesday a state abortion ban that supporters had championed as the best chance to challenge a 33-year-old U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing the procedure.
“This means that there has been a rebellion against social, right-wing wedge politics that have been dominating this country,” said Sarah Stoesz, chief of Planned Parenthood’s operations in the Dakotas and Minnesota, key backers of the campaign to kill the measure.
“It is a very important victory for people who are open-minded and progressive in this country.” (View ballot initiatives results)
Supporters of the abortion ban declined to comment.
With 81 percent of vote counted early Wednesday, those voting to overturn the law had an advantage of 55 percent to 45 percent, and CNN projected a victory for opponents of the measure.
Signed by Gov. Mike Rounds on March 6, the South Dakota law would have banned abortions at all stages of pregnancy, including cases of rape and incest, and offered no exception if a mother is in poor health. The law would have allowed a doctor to perform an abortion if a woman is dying but requires the doctor to try to save the life of the fetus as well as the woman.