DENVER (AP) — A ballot measure involving crimes and pregnant women will be on 2014 Colorado ballots.
Secretary of State Scott Gessler announced Monday that anti-abortion backers turned in signatures to put the ballot measure to voters next year. The question would direct state lawmakers to add “unborn human beings” to state criminal code.
Supporters say state law doesn’t adequately punish crimes against pregnant women.
The measure is different from previous attempts to add so-called “personhood” measures to the constitution. Those measures have failed twice in Colorado.
Abortion-rights advocates say the ballot measure under consideration this year still goes too far. They say the criminal code could curb abortion rights and some infertility treatments.