1992 Maryland Question 6

Referendum on abortion January 2025 Maryland November 3, 1992 Referendum Question 6 Abortion Law Revision 1114377 690542 1804919 1992 Maryland Question 6 results by county.svg county County results Yes #47729E 70–80% 1px #AAAAAA solid #7D9CBB 60–70% 1px #AAAAAA solid #B6C8D9 50–60% 1px #AAAAAA solid No #BCBC83 60–70% 1px #AAAAAA solid #DEDEBD 50–60% 1px #AAAAAA solid Source: Maryland State Board of Elections1992 Presidential Election Official Results for Statewide Questions https://elections.maryland.gov/elections/1992/results_1992/ballot_questions.html elections.maryland.gov Maryland State Board of Elections November 17, 2023 February 16, 2001 Question 6 was a voter referendum to allow voters to approve or reject a law passed by the Maryland General Assembly in 1991 to codify the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade. The referendum was approved by 61.7% of voters on November 3, 1992. Ballot measure A draft of the referendum language had been sent to both pro-choice and pro-life groups by Maryland Attorney General J. Joseph Curran Jr. to prevent controversy over the wording of the question. He asked the groups to comment on the draft by June 19, 1992,Banisky Sandy Both sides asked about wording of abortion question https://www.newspapers.com/image/170934128/ November 18, 2023 The Baltimore Sun June 6, 1992 Newspapers.com and, after receiving feedback, rewrote the question to use "less cryptic" language.Banisky Sandy Second version has more words, is 'less cryptic' https://www.newspapers.com/image/170929933/ November 18, 2023 The Baltimore Sun June 27, 1992 Newspapers.com The ballot language was revised for a third and final time before being submitted to the Maryland Secretary of State to appear on the general election ballot.Banisky Sandy Anti-abortion camp doesn't like wording of ballot question https://www.newspapers.com/image/170777919/ November 18, 2023 The Baltimore Sun July 7, 1992 Newspapers.com After the language was approved, the Vote kNOw Coalition filed a lawsuit asking for the ballot language to be rewritten.Banisky Sandy Abortion foes file lawsuit over ballot language https://www.newspapers.com/image/170763103/ November 18, 2023 The Baltimore Sun July 30, 1992 Newspapers.com Judge Bruce C. Williams rejected the language and ordered the attorney general to rewrite the ballot wordingStuckey Tom Abortion language rejected https://www.newspapers.com/image/281597090/ November 18, 2023 The Daily Times August 13, 1992 Newspapers.com in a ruling that was later struck down by the Maryland Court of Appeals.Banisky Sandy Foes of abortion lose court battle on ballot wording https://www.newspapers.com/image/170901230/ November 18, 2023 The Baltimore Sun August 20, 1992 Newspapers.com The ballot measure read as follows: Question 6Abortion Law Revision Revises Maryland's abortion law to prohibit State interference with woman's abortion decision before fetus is viable, or, under certain conditions, at any time and to provide certain exceptions to the requirement that a physician notify an unmarried minor's parent or guardian prior to minor's abortion; repeals pre-abortion information requirements about abortion alternatives; repeals some, and clarifies other, provisions related to abortion referral; requires that abortions be performed by licensed physicians; provides good-faith immunity under certain conditions to physicians performing abortions; authorizes State to adopt abortion regulations; repeals certain penalty and disciplinary provisions related to the performance of abortions. The choices read as follows: For the Referred LawAgainst the Referred Law History Abortion in Maryland In 1968, the Maryland General Assembly passed a bill that would require abortions in the state to be performed in a hospital and approved by a hospital review committee.Assembly OK's Viet Measure Amid Uproar, Ends Session https://www.newspapers.com/image/370947477/ November 17, 2023 The Evening Sun March 27, 1968 Newspapers.com This legislation would later be overturned by the Supreme Court's decision in Roe v. Wade, which prevented the government from placing restrictions on abortions before fetal viability. Legislative debate on abortion had intensified following the Supreme Court's decision in Webster v. Reproductive Health Services, which imposed restrictions on state funding for abortions, with pro-choice lawmakers introducing a bill to codify the Roe decision amid fears that the Supreme Court would overturn its previous decision, thereby reinstating Maryland's restrictive 1968 law.Abortion advocates move to pre-empt high court https://www.newspapers.com/image/376719115/ November 17, 2023 The Baltimore Sun January 8, 1990 Newspapers.com Senate President Thomas V. Miller Jr., who self-identified as a pro-life, pledged to remain neutral on the debate but said that he personally favored laws that restricted abortion, adding that if the procedure was necessary, "you've got Washington, D.C., 35 miles down the road". House Speaker R. Clayton Mitchell Jr. also declined to bring any abortion bills up for a vote, saying that he would wait until the Senate takes action on the issue before he'd bring it up. By 1990, abortion advocates had secured a majority in the Maryland Senate and introduced legislation that would codify the Roe decision, but it was unclear if the legislation had the votes to defeat a filibuster.Shen Fern Miller takes center stage on abortion https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1990/02/25/miller-takes-center-stage-on-abortion/a2ece73a-441f-4cf8-bdb1-2113aba18c5c/ November 17, 2023 The Washington Post February 25, 1990 Pro-choice lawmakers were initially unable to reach the 32 votes required to break the Republican-led filibuster, with the Senate voting 28–18 to continue debate on the bill.Filibuster blocks bill https://www.newspapers.com/image/91925020/ November 17, 2023 The Star Democrat March 16, 1990 Newspapers.com Legislators continued to filibuster the bill for eight days before coming to an agreement to couple the abortion rights legislation with another bill that would prevent the bill from going into effect until voters approved of it in a statewide referendum.Banisky Sandy Frece John W. Senate OKs 2 abortion bills; filibuster ends https://www.newspapers.com/image/376890826/ November 17, 2023 The Baltimore Sun March 23, 1990 Newspapers.com However, both bills were killed by state delegate William A. Clark in the House Environmental Matters Committee, who argued in voting against the two bills that action on the House floor would be "chaotic" and force legislators "to go on record on the vote".Birch Doug Bowie Liz House panel, by 1 vote, kills both abortion bills https://www.newspapers.com/image/376657009/ November 17, 2023 The Baltimore Sun March 24, 1990 Newspapers.com In that year's state Senate elections, pro-abortion group Choice PAC primaried four incumbent Democratic state senators who filibustered the abortion rights bill, giving advocates the votes they needed to pass the bill during next year's legislative session.Fletcher Michael A. Md. Senate's anti-abortion bloc apparently broken https://www.baltimoresun.com/1990/09/12/md-senates-anti-abortion-bloc-apparently-broken/ November 17, 2023 The Baltimore Sun September 12, 1990 At the start of the 1991 legislative session, Miller promised that the abortion bill would be "the first major issue the Senate takes up" that year.Banisky Sandy Assembly faces year of retrenchment, heavy issues https://www.newspapers.com/image/376698267/ November 17, 2023 The Baltimore Sun January 6, 1991 Newspapers.com The new bill included a parental notification clause that Miller believed the public would be more accepting of it was to head to a referendum.Thompson William Assembly leaders seek to head off abortion filibuster https://www.newspapers.com/image/367652439/ November 17, 2023 The Evening Sun January 14, 1991 Newspapers.com Anti-abortion state senators conceded that they did not have the votes to hold a filibuster on the bill, but said they would propose amendments to the bill that would outlaw abortions for sex-select reasons, ban abortion services advertising, and requiring parental consent for abortions performed on underage girls.Roll John Abortion debate begins anew in Senate today https://www.newspapers.com/image/869356519/ November 17, 2023 Carroll County Times February 8, 1991 Newspapers.com All amendments to the bill were rejected after five and a half hours of debate,Banisky Sandy Frece John W. Abortion bill clears hurdles in Md. Senate https://www.newspapers.com/image/376802869/ November 17, 2023 The Baltimore Sun February 9, 1991 Newspapers.com and the bill eventually passed and was signed into law by Governor William Donald Schaefer.Abortion bill signed https://www.newspapers.com/image/91904894/ November 17, 2023 The Star Democrat February 19, 1991 Newspapers.com Afterwards, anti-abortion activists, led by former Lieutenant Governor Samuel Bogley and his Right to kNOw Coalition,Group plans to launch abortion petition drive https://www.newspapers.com/image/869483960/ November 17, 2023 Carroll County Times March 28, 1991 Newspapers.comMiller Amy L. Signatures sought for referendum https://www.baltimoresun.com/1991/06/05/signatures-sought-for-referendum/ November 17, 2023 The Baltimore Sun June 5, 1991 said they planned to collect enough signatures to petition the law in the 1992 general election.Thompson William Abortion foes taking steps to fight back https://www.newspapers.com/image/91904894/ November 17, 2023 The Evening Sun February 19, 1991 Newspapers.com In late June, the coalition submitted 143,622 voter signatures—more than four times the 33,373 valid signatured required—to petition the law, which were certified by the Maryland State Board of Elections in July.Abortion law faces ballot test https://www.newspapers.com/image/367431279/ November 17, 2023 The Evening Sun July 23, 1991 Newspapers.comOpponents, supports of abortion law plan for referendum campaign https://www.newspapers.com/image/869422356/ November 17, 2023 Carroll County Times June 28, 1991 Newspapers.com Campaign Pro-choice groups led raised $1.6 million during the campaign to support Question 6, with most contributions being transferred to the Maryland for Choice committee, while abortion opponents raised $1.46 million, almost all of which was through the Vote kNOw Coalition.Stuckey Tom $3 million raised for abortion law campaign https://www.newspapers.com/image/281305601/ November 18, 2023 The Daily Times October 27, 1992 Newspapers.com The pro-life campaign involved criticizing the 1991 abortion bill as "extremist", while abortion advocates called it a "moderate compromise". Anti-Question 6 ballots were also distributed in Roman Catholic churches and other congregations, and television commercials opposing Question 6, including one featuring neurosurgeon Ben Carson,Banisky Sandy Abortion issue heads to airwaves https://www.newspapers.com/image/170966110/ November 18, 2023 The Baltimore Sun September 22, 1992 Newspapers.comAbortion https://www.newspapers.com/image/170786983/ November 18, 2023 The Baltimore Sun September 30, 1992 Dr. Ben Carson, Hopkins pediatric neurosurgeon: "As a physician who does not believe in abortion, when faced with a patient who has severe medical problems, I would refer someone for an abortion." Newspapers.com were run on WMAR-TV and WBAL-TV. Carson later condemned the advertisement and asked for it to be taken down, saying that he had not known that he was making a political advertisement.Banisky Sandy Hopkins doctor disavows ad against abortion law https://www.newspapers.com/image/171284445/ November 19, 2023 The Baltimore Sun October 2, 1992 Newspapers.com Turnout in the 1992 general elections were boosted by Question 6 and tax issues,Smith C. Fraser Abortion question, tax issues expected to turn out the vote https://www.newspapers.com/image/170922014/ November 18, 2023 The Baltimore Sun November 3, 1992 Newspapers.com which the Maryland Republican Party believed would hurt President George H. W. Bush, who was pro-life.Smith C. Fraser Abortion strains unity of state GOP https://www.newspapers.com/image/170900864/ November 18, 2023 The Baltimore Sun August 18, 1992 Newspapers.com Endorsements Yes U.S. Senators Bill Bradley, U.S. Senator from New Jersey (#CEE0F2 Democrat)Banisky Sandy In Maryland, referendum looms large https://www.newspapers.com/image/170949089/ November 18, 2023 The Baltimore Sun June 30, 1992 Newspapers.com U.S. Representatives Kweisi Mfume, U.S. Representative from MD 7 (#CEE0F2 Democrat) Parren Mitchell, former U.S. Representative from MD 7 (#CEE0F2 Democrat)Abortion foe disparages back-alley death 'myth' https://www.newspapers.com/image/170783902/ November 17, 2023 The Baltimore Sun October 15, 1992 Newspapers.com Statewide officials Hillary Clinton, First Lady of Arkansas and wife of presidential nominee Bill Clinton (#CEE0F2 Democrat)Sarris Marina Hillary Clinton pushes her husband's economic plan at rally in Annapolis https://www.newspapers.com/image/170939294/ November 18, 2023 The Baltimore Sun October 28, 1992 Newspapers.com Nelson J. Sabatini, Secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Hygiene (#CEE0F2 Democrat)Banisky Sandy State health secretary urges OK of abortion law https://www.newspapers.com/image/170947762/ November 18, 2023 The Baltimore Sun October 30, 1992 Melvin Steinberg, Lieutenant Governor of Maryland (#CEE0F2 Democrat)Banisky Sandy Abortion-rights rally in city kicks off next campaign https://www.newspapers.com/image/170775050/ November 18, 2023 The Baltimore Sun July 1, 1992 State delegates Delores G. Kelley, state delegate from the 42nd district (#CEE0F2 Democrat) Lawrence A. LaMotte, state delegate from district 5B (#CEE0F2 Democrat)Anti-abortion activists pressing for referendum https://www.newspapers.com/image/376313621/ November 17, 2023 The Baltimore Sun June 5, 1991 Newspapers.com Mary Louise Preis, state delegate from the 34th district (#CEE0F2 Democrat)Freeman Freda Question 6 roils waters on abortion issue https://www.newspapers.com/image/868804997/?terms=%22abortion%22+referendum&match=1 November 18, 2023 The Aegis September 30, 1992 Newspapers.com Samuel I. Rosenberg, state delegate from the 42nd district (#CEE0F2 Democrat)Banisky Sandy Both sides in Md. cheered by Pa. abortion decision https://www.newspapers.com/image/376327900/ November 17, 2023 The Baltimore Sun October 23, 1991 Newspapers.com Local officials Kurt Schmoke, mayor of Baltimore (#CEE0F2 Democrat)Banisky Sandy Schmoke to campaign for abortion rights bill https://www.newspapers.com/image/367432755/ November 17, 2023 The Evening Sun January 27, 1992 Newspapers.com Party officials Vera Hall, chair of the Maryland Democratic Party (#CEE0F2 Democrat) Individuals Marion C. Bascom, civil rights leader and pastor at Madison Avenue Methodist Episcopal ChurchAbortion https://www.newspapers.com/image/170937954/ November 18, 2023 The Baltimore Sun October 27, 1992 Newspapers.com Gloria Steinem, journalist and social-political activistGloria Steinem backs new abortion law https://www.newspapers.com/image/171284450/ November 18, 2023 The Baltimore Sun October 2, 1992 Newspapers.com Organizations American Civil Liberties UnionBlomquist Brian Signatures collected put abortion law on ballot https://www.newspapers.com/image/91888231/ November 17, 2023 The Star Democrat July 24, 1991 Newspapers.com Maryland League of Women VotersLeague of Women Voters raps abortion question ruling https://www.newspapers.com/image/281598976/ November 18, 2023 The Daily Times August 19, 1992 Newspapers.com National Abortion Rights Action League Planned Parenthood of MarylandAbortion foes plan drive to overturn new law in ballot https://www.newspapers.com/image/376657075/ November 17, 2023 The Baltimore Sun March 9, 1991 Newspapers.com Newspapers The Baltimore SunThe Sun's Endorsements https://www.newspapers.com/image/170928719/ November 18, 2023 The Baltimore Sun October 25, 1992 Newspapers.com The Daily TimesTimes Endorsements https://www.newspapers.com/image/170928719/ November 18, 2023 The Daily Times October 25, 1992 Newspapers.com The Star DemocratA vote for Question 6 is a vote for choice https://www.newspapers.com/image/91982972/ November 18, 2023 The Star Democrat October 27, 1992 Newspapers.com No U.S. Executive Branch officials Alan Keyes, former Assistant Secretary of State for International Organization Affairs (#FFE6E6 Republican)Abortion petition drive begins https://www.newspapers.com/image/281638124/ November 17, 2023 The Daily Times April 7, 1991 Newspapers.com Statewide elected officials Samuel Bogley, former Lieutenant Governor of Maryland (#CEE0F2 Democrat) State senators Larry E. Haines, state senator from the 5th district (#FFE6E6 Republican)Hare Mary Gail Center helps pregnant women https://www.newspapers.com/image/376848524/ November 17, 2023 The Baltimore Sun February 27, 1991 Newspapers.com State delegates Marsha G. Perry, state delegate from the 33rd district (#CEE0F2 Democrat)A new abortion law https://www.newspapers.com/image/281685495/ November 17, 2023 The Daily Times February 20, 1991 Newspapers.com Individuals Frederica Mathewes-Green, author and speakerAbortion foes call themselves feminists https://www.newspapers.com/image/91920870/ November 18, 2023 The Star Democrat September 11, 1992 Newspapers.com Organizations Maryland Catholic ConferenceAbortion Issue Takes New Course in New Year https://www.newspapers.com/image/376822173/ November 17, 2023 The Baltimore Sun February 24, 1991 Newspapers.com Opinion polls Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesizekey Key:A – all adultsRV – registered votersLV – likely votersV – unclear Marginof error For Against UndecidedGeorge Washington UniversityGeorge Washington UniversityOctober 20–24, 1992403 (RV)± 4.0%70%20%10%"Had not heard of the referendum" with 2%Mason-Dixon ResearchMason-Dixon ResearchOctober 1992809 (RV)± 3.5%52%36%12%Mason-Dixon ResearchMason-Dixon ResearchAugust 28–30, 1992802 (RV)± 3.5%54%29%17%Mason-Dixon ResearchMason-Dixon ResearchJune 3–5, 1992815 (LV)± 3.5%60%32%8%KPC ResearchKPC ResearchFebruary 10–15, 19921,210 (RV)± 2.8%57%31%12% Results 1992 Maryland Question 6 1114377 690542 Source: Maryland State Board of Elections County breakdown By county For Against Total votes Votes % Votes % Allegany 9,478 38.60% 15,079 61.40% 24,557 100.00% Anne Arundel 108,394 60.40% 71,077 39.60% 179,471 100.00% Baltimore 180,818 61.38% 113,755 38.62% 294,573 100.00% Baltimore City 132,697 66.37% 67,237 38.62% 199,934 100.00% Calvert 10,944 56.62% 8,385 43.38% 19,329 100.00% Caroline 3,482 49.52% 3,550 50.48% 7,032 100.00% Carroll 26,362 51.00% 25,328 49.00% 51,690 100.00% Cecil 11,015 48.73% 11,590 51.27% 22,605 100.00% Charles 14,994 50.32% 14,804 49.68% 29,798 100.00% Dorchester 4,789 54.26% 4,037 45.74% 8,826 100.00% Frederick 32,721 54.26% 29,042 47.02% 61,763 100.00% Garrett 2,683 30.13% 6,223 69.87% 8,906 100.00% Harford 41,125 53.07% 36,360 46.93% 77,485 100.00% Howard 63,141 64.80% 34,305 35.20% 97,446 100.00% Kent 4,026 65.01% 2,167 34.99% 6,193 100.00% Montgomery 246,361 70.12% 104,982 29.88% 351,343 100.00% Prince George's 153,741 66.25% 78,328 33.75% 232,069 100.00% Queen Anne's 7,542 60.38% 4,948 39.62% 12,490 100.00% St. Mary's 9,852 46.87% 11,166 53.13% 21,018 100.00% Somerset 2,350 41.89% 3,260 58.11% 5,610 100.00% Talbot 7,643 63.77% 4,342 36.23% 11,985 100.00% Washington 19,187 47.19% 21,473 52.81% 40,660 100.00% Wicomico 12,975 52.24% 11,861 47.76% 24,836 100.00% Worcester 8,057 52.66% 7,243 47.34% 15,300 100.00% Total 1,114,377 61.74% 690,542 38.26%1,804,919100.00% See also Abortion in Maryland 2024 Maryland Question 1 Initiatives and referendums in the United States References Category:November 1992 in the United States Category:1992 in Maryland Category:1992 Maryland elections Maryland Question 6, 11 1992 Category:Abortion in the United States Category:Abortion referendums in the United States 1992 Category:United States state abortion legislation Category:Women in Maryland Category:1991 in Maryland