2008 California Proposition 4

Failed ballot proposition on abortion the state amendment that granted women's suffrage 1911 California Proposition 4 February 2026 Proposition 4 Parent Notif. Before Terminating Minor’s Pregnancy 6220473 6728478 12948951 17304428 2008 California Proposition 4 results map by county.svg County results No#DEDEBD 50–60%#BCBC83 60–70%#8B8B54 70–80%Yes#B6C8D9 50–60%#7D9CBB 60–70%#47729E 70–80% Source: California Secretary of State Proposition 4, or the Abortion Waiting Period and Parental Notification Initiative, also known to its supporters as Sarah's Law, was an initiative state constitutional amendment in the 2008 California general election.http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2008/05/30/state/n192439D46.DTL&type=politics Parental notification measure makes Calif. ballot San Francisco Chronicle May 30, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080609011526/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fn%2Fa%2F2008%2F05%2F30%2Fstate%2Fn192439D46.DTL&type=politics June 9, 2008 March 12, 2019 dead mdy-all http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2008/05/parental-notifi.html Parental notification -- Again! Los Angeles Times May 31, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080601084643/http://opinion.latimes.com/opinionla/2008/05/parental-notifi.html June 1, 2008 March 12, 2019Prah Pamela M. http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=328253 Stateline.org Social issues crowd state ballots July 24, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080730175711/http://www.stateline.org/live/details/story?contentId=328253 July 30, 2008 March 12, 2019 The initiative would prohibit abortion for un-emancipated minors until 48 hours after physician notifies minor's parent, legal guardian or, if parental abuse has been reported, an alternative adult family member. Proposition 4 was rejected by voters on November 4, 2008. Specific provisions The proposed initiative, if enacted as a constitutional amendment, would: Provide exceptions for medical emergency or parental waiver. Permit courts to waive notice based on clear and convincing evidence of minor's maturity or best interests. Mandate reporting requirements, including reports from physicians regarding abortions on minors. Authorize monetary damages against physicians for violation. Require minor's consent to abortion, with exceptions. Permit judicial relief if minor's consent is coerced. Fiscal Impact Health and Social Services Costs. Annual costs in the range of $4 million to $5 million for the state and about $2 million for counties, and potential one-time Medi-Cal automation costs unlikely to exceed a few million dollars. Costs to Local Law Enforcement and Courts. Annual costs in the range of $5 million to $6 million per year. Potential Offsetting Savings. Unknown, potential savings to the state in health care and public assistance costs from decreases in sexually transmitted diseases and teen pregnancy.https://lao.ca.gov/ballot/2007/070400.htm 2007 Initiative Analysis: Child Abuse Reporting Enforcement Act of 2008 (Amendment #1-S) California Legislative Analyst's Office June 11, 2007 March 12, 2019 Supporters The Friends of Sarah, the Parental or Alternative Family Member Notification Act. is the official ballot committee.http://cal-access.sos.ca.gov/Campaign/Committees/Detail.aspx?id=1298466&session=2007 Campaign Finance: FRIENDS OF SARAH, YES ON PROP 4, THE PARENTAL OR ALTERNATIVE FAMILY MEMBER NOTIFICATION LAW, MAJOR FUNDING BY DON SEBASTIANI & JIM HOLMAN & OTHERS TO REFORM CHILD PROTECTION LAWS IN CA California Secretary of State March 12, 2019 Gov. Arnold SchwarzeneggerRolland David http://lastblogonearth.com/2008/06/29/schwarzegger-on-jim-holmans-ballot-measure/ Schwarzenegger on Jim Holman's anti-abortion initiative Last Blog On Earth June 29, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081011235531/http://lastblogonearth.com/2008/06/29/schwarzegger-on-jim-holmans-ballot-measure/ October 11, 2008 March 12, 2019 Arguments in favor of Prop. 4 Notable arguments that have been made in favor of Prop. 4 include: 34 other U.S. States have had notification laws in place for as long as 25 years. When a minor obtains an abortion without the knowledge of a family member or guardian, her health can be endangered if health complications arise after the abortion.Pearson Margaret http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-pearson3-2008oct03,0,4002358.story Proposition 4 protects girls Los Angeles Times October 3, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081011084048/http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-pearson3-2008oct03,0,4002358.story October 11, 2008 March 12, 2019 If a minor becomes pregnant because of sexual violence or predation, a sexual predator may be missed, because the abortion clinic may not report the sexual crime.http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/argu-rebut/argu-rebutt4.htm Proposition 4 Arguments - Voter Information Guide 2008 California Secretary of State 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081208064238/http://www.voterguide.sos.ca.gov/argu-rebut/argu-rebutt4.htm December 8, 2008 March 12, 2019 Donors As of September 27, 2008, the six largest donors to Prop. 4 are: Jim Holman, $1,525,590. (Of this, $1.35 million is listed as a loan.)Ainsworth Bill http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20080414-9999-1n14abort.html Abortion notification backers not giving up San Diego Union-Tribune April 14, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080928074543/http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20080414-9999-1n14abort.html September 28, 2008 March 12, 2019 Don Sebastiani, $530,000. Knights of Columbus, $200,000. Life Legal Defense Foundation, $50,000. The Lenawee Trust, $100,000. The Caster Family Trust, $100,000. Path to ballot and prior attempts at passage The signature-gathering drive to qualify the 2008 Parental Notification petition for the ballot was conducted by petition management firm Bader & Associates, Inc. at a cost of $2,555,000. Proposition 4 represents the third time that California voters will have considered the issue of a parental notification/waiting period for abortion. The two previous, unsuccessful, initiatives were California Proposition 85 (2006) and California Proposition 73 (2005). When Prop 73 lost in 2005, some supporters thought that a similar measure would fare better in a general election. However, Prop 85 did worse. Unlike 85 or 73, Proposition 4 allows an adult relative of the minor seeking an abortion to be notified, if the minor's parents are abusive. Camille Giulio, a spokeswoman for the pro-4 campaign said that the November 2008 election represents a better opportunity for parental notification legislation because: There will be a higher voter turnout in November 2008 than when 85 and 73 were voted on. Socially conservative voters will be motivated to come to the polls to vote in favor of the much higher profile Proposition 8. While at the polls, they are likely to also vote in favor of 4. The two previous campaigns represented narrow defeats in low budget campaigns.Nieves Evelyn https://sanbenito.com/2008/10/02/parental-notice-for-abortion-back-on-calif-ballot/ Parental notice for abortion back on Calif. ballot Hollister Free Lance Associated Press October 2, 2008 March 12, 2019 Year Proposition Votes for % for Votes against % against 2005https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2005_special/ssov/ssov_summary_pg_1.pdf STATEMENT OF VOTE, Summary Page California Secretary of State 2005 https://web.archive.org/web/20121115145314/https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2005_special/ssov/ssov_summary_pg_1.pdf November 15, 2012 2008-11-05 Prop 73 3,676,592 47.2% 4,109,430 52.8% 2006https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2006_general/measures.pdf STATE BALLOT MEASURES California Secretary of State 2006 https://web.archive.org/web/20121115135954/https://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2006_general/measures.pdf November 15, 2012 2008-11-05 Prop 85 3,868,714 45.8% 4,576,128 54.2% 2008http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2008_general/7_votes_for_against.pdf Votes For and Against – November 4, 2008, State Ballot Measures California Secretary of State 2009 March 12, 2019 https://web.archive.org/web/20121115153539/http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/sov/2008_general/7_votes_for_against.pdf November 15, 2012 dead Prop 4 4,761,465 48.0% 5,157,174 52.0% Opposition to Prop. 4 The Campaign for Teen Safety is the official ballot committee against the proposition. American Academy of Pediatrics, California District American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, District IX California Academy of Family Physicians California Family Health Council California Nurses Association California School Counselors Association California Teachers Association Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California California NOW Equality California The Let California Ring coalitionhttp://www.canow.org/canoworg/2008/06/look-out-for-pr.html Look out for Prop 4 & Prop 8 California National Organization for Women June 27, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081202063455/http://www.canow.org/canoworg/2008/06/look-out-for-pr.html December 2, 2008 March 12, 2019 Arguments against Prop. 4 Notable arguments that have been made against Prop. 4 include: Mandated parental notification laws do not work. No law can mandate family communication. Some teenagers can't go to their parents for fear of being forced to leave their home, abuse, or worse. Prop 4 may force these teens to delay medical care, turn to self-induced abortions, or consider suicide. The reason there are fewer teen pregnancies in states mandating parental notification is that more teenage girls choose to go underground and have unsafe abortions which go unreported. Fear of parents being notified in the event of an abortion is highly unlikely to motivate teens to practice abstinence. This proposition is extremely gender-biased. It is unlikely that any law would mandate the notification of the father's parents. The vote will be biased as those affected by the bill, namely minors, are unable to vote on it. If a teen seeks the support of another adult, her parents would automatically be reported to authorities, and an investigation would ensue. Consultants The No on 4 campaign has hired the Dewey Square Grouphttps://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=Dewey_Square_Group Dewey Square Group SourceWatch October 11, 2017 March 12, 2019 as a consultant.http://cal-access.sos.ca.gov/Campaign/Committees/Detail.aspx?id=1276142&session=2007&view=expenditures CAMPAIGN FOR TEEN SAFETY - NO ON 4 - A PROJECT OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD AFFILIATES OF CALIFORNIA: Expenditures made California Secretary of State March 12, 2019 Donors to opposition As of September 27, some of the top donors to the opposition campaign were: A number of different Planned Parenthood affiliates, including the Los Angeles, Mar Monte, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Shasta Diablo and Pasadena offices, $4,485,000 California Teachers Association, $450,000. California Family Health Council, $80,000. Committee for a New Economy, $25,000. ACLU, Northern California, $50,000. ACLU, Southern California, $10,000. Susan Orr, $100,000. John Morgridge, $100,000.http://www.mercurynews.com/news/ci_10071635?nclick_check=1 San Jose Mercury News Associated Press Breakdown of donations for California ballot measures August 1, 2008 yes March 2019http://cal-access.sos.ca.gov/Campaign/Committees/Detail.aspx?id=1276142&session=2007&view=received&psort=AMOUNT CAMPAIGN FOR TEEN SAFETY - NO ON 4 - A PROJECT OF PLANNED PARENTHOOD AFFILIATES OF CALIFORNIA: All Contributions California Secretary of State March 12, 2019 Lawsuit filed over Prop. 4 language Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California and others filed a lawsuit with the Sacramento County Superior Court in early August to strike out all references to "Sarah" and "Sarah's Law" and "other misleading language in the voter's guide" for Proposition 4. The title "Sarah's Law" refers to the case of 15-year-old "Sarah" who died as a result of an abortion in 1994. Proposition 4's ballot language in the official voter's guide suggests that "Sarah" might have been saved had her parents known about her abortion. Opponents of Proposition 4 argue that "Sarah" was not considered a minor in Texas, where the abortion was performed, and that she already had a child with a man who claimed to be her common-law husband. If this is the case, the proposed law, Proposition 4, would not have helped her, since it wouldn't have applied to her. Based on this reasoning, opponents asked that the references to Sarah be stricken.http://www.feminist.org/news/newsbyte/uswirestory.asp?id=11200 Activists File Lawsuit to Strike "Sarah's Law" Language from CA Ballot Initiative Feminist Majority Foundation August 5, 2008 March 12, 2019 November 15, 2018 https://web.archive.org/web/20181115141305/http://www.feminist.org/news/newsbyte/uswirestory.asp?id=11200 dead Judge Michael Kenny of the Sacramento Superior Court ultimately ruled against the opponents, allowing the original proposed ballot language and arguments, including references to Sarah, to stay in the official California voter's pamphlet. Polling information The Field Poll has conducted and released the results of four public opinion polls on Proposition 4, in July, August, September, and October.Field Mervin DiCamillo Mark http://www.field.com/fieldpollonline/subscribers/Rls2280.pdf Low awareness but initial voter backing of five statewide ballot measures – Props. 1, 2, 4, 7 AND 11 – July Poll Field Research Corporation July 22, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080917234757/http://www.field.com/fieldpollonline/subscribers/Rls2280.pdf September 17, 2008 March 12, 2019Field Mervin DiCamillo Mark http://www.field.com/fieldpollonline/subscribers/Rls2289.pdf Voters narrowly favoring Prop. 4, the Parental Notification of Abortion by Minors Initiative – September Poll Field Research Corporation September 26, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080927212408/http://www.field.com/fieldpollonline/subscribers/Rls2289.pdf September 27, 2008 March 12, 2019Field Mervin DiCamillo Mark http://www.field.com/fieldpollonline/subscribers/Rls2293.pdf Voters Closely Divided on Prop. 4 (Parental Notification for Teen Abortion). Two of the Four State Bond Measures Receiving More than 50% Support – October Poll November 1, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081121181902/http://www.field.com/fieldpollonline/subscribers/Rls2293.pdf November 21, 2008 March 12, 2019 Mark DiCamillo, director of the polling agency, said he believes the current version is running stronger because Latinos overwhelmingly favor it and are expected to vote in higher-than-usual numbers in November.Marelius John http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20080926-9999-1n26prop4.html Third abortion initiative given chance of passing San Diego Union-Tribune September 26, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081028162052/http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/state/20080926-9999-1n26prop4.html October 28, 2008 March 12, 2019 Month of Poll In Favor Opposed UndecidedJuly 2008 48 percent 39 percent 13 percentAugust 2008 47 percent 44 percent 9 percentSeptember 2008 49 percent 41 percent 10 percentOctober 2008 45 percent 43 percent 12 percent Newspaper endorsements Editorial boards in favor San Diego Union Tribunehttp://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080923/news_lz1ed23bottom.html Notify parents: Proposition 4 responds to critics' objection San Diego Union Tribune September 23, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080926104409/http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080923/news_lz1ed23bottom.html September 26, 2008 March 12, 2019 Orange County Registerhttp://www.ocregister.com/articles/abortion-prop-child-2170189-parents-measure California Prop. 4 Editorial: Parents have a right to know about daughter's abortion Orange County Register September 23, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081007173414/http://www.ocregister.com/articles/abortion-prop-child-2170189-parents-measure October 7, 2008 March 12, 2019 Editorial boards opposed Los Angeles Timeshttp://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-ed-4prop25-2008sep25,0,5171708.story No on Prop. 4 Los Angeles Times September 25, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081101230633/http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-ed-4prop25-2008sep25,0,5171708.story November 1, 2008 March 12, 2019 San Francisco Chroniclehttps://www.sfgate.com/opinion/article/California-Proposition-4-would-undermine-abortion-3194349.php California Proposition 4 would undermine abortion rights San Francisco Chronicle September 18, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20081020101139/http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=%2Fc%2Fa%2F2008%2F09%2F18%2FEDFC12VPTR.DTL October 20, 2008 March 12, 2019 live mdy-all Results Proposition 4 6220473 12948951 6728478 79.42 794226 November 4, 2008, General Election Statement of Vote References Further reading To defeat Obama, conservatives take the initiative Fisher: Anti-abortion ballot measure still a bad idea External links California's official voter guide on Proposition 4 Text of initiative Signature validation progress sheet, from the California Secretary of State. CaliforniaPropositions.org Prop 4 information page California Voter Online guide to Proposition 4 Smart Voter Guide to Proposition 4 Campaign Expenditures for Proposition 4, Parental Notification Supporters Sarah's Law Yes on 4 Parents' Right to Know California Opponents No on Proposition 4 4 Category:Abortion referendums in California Category:Failed amendments to the Constitution of California Category:Initiatives in the United States Category:United States state abortion legislation Category:Women in California