Personhood.net

Coming to a Ballot Near You: When Does Life Begin?

On July 31st of this year, the voters in all 159 Georgia counties, representing all fourteen Congressional Districts, will have an opportunity to answer the pressing question of when life begins. Appearing on the July 20th Primary ballot is the following poll, “Do you support an amendment to the Georgia state constitution so as to provide that the paramount right to life is vested in each human being from the earliest biological beginning until natural death?”

Using a little known election law, Georgia Right to Life (GRTL), approached the Republican Party State Committee with the request that they place a “Party question” on their ballots. They responded by requesting the that the Secretary of State place the question on all county ballots for the primary election on July 31st.

Legally, the outcome of the question bears no legal weight because it is intended to be a straw poll of local county voters on the issue of when life begins.  Politically, it will serve as a barometer of local sentiment on the sanctity of life. Based upon Georgia House Resolution 1072 (HR 1072), sponsored last session by Democrat Rep. Rick Crawford, the question is asked so that the pro-life strength of each county can be assessed, precinct by precinct. “We have some confusion among some of our elected ‘pro-life’ officials when it comes time to actually fight for --- and support  ---  meaningful pro-life legislation in the Georgia House” says Mike Griffin, Legislative Director for GRTL, “this will remove all doubt as to where their ‘moral compass’ should point . . . their own constituents will have the opportunity to weigh in on the greatest human rights issue of our day. This has huge political ramifications.”

“Our polling shows that Georgia is one of the most pro-life states in the nation” says Daniel Becker, President of Georgia Right to Life. A poll from Strategic Vision shows that fifty-seven percent of voters favor the overthrow of Roe vs. Wade. This is roughly 20 points above the next nearest state polled. “This fact does not seem to be lost on our elected officials, particularly, as they consider running for a statewide office”, says Becker. “During the 2008 Presidential primary, Georgia’s Republican voters selected the most pro-life candidate in the entire field, Gov. Mike Huckabee” said Becker. Huckabee was the only viable candidate that endorsed a Personhood Amendment at the state constitutional level which would define when life begins and when it should be protected by law. “

As of today, all nine Republican statewide Constitutional officers have endorsed a Personhood Amendment to the Georgia Constitution” , said Melanie Crozier, PAC Director for GRTL. “This would include Gov. Nathan Deal, Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle, Secretary of State Brian Kemp, Attorney General Sam Olens,  Chairman of the Public Service Commissioner Tim Echols and 4 other statewide officers.

Opposition to the question has arisen regarding the concern that it would outlaw capital punishment, contraceptives or implementation of advanced directives. HR 1072 will not outlaw contraceptives, capital punishment, or the use of advance directives. Mothers would NOT be prosecuted for miscarriages and pre-born children would not be issued passports.