OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — An anti-abortion group that wants to ban abortions in Oklahoma launches a petition drive, with the goal of amending the state Constitution to define a fertilized human egg as a human being.
Officials with Personhood Oklahoma filed their proposed ballot title with the secretary of state's office yesterday. The group now has 90 days to gather signatures from about 155,000 registered voters. If successful, supporters hope to have a question on the state ballot in November. Organizers say if approved, the amendment would ban abortions and outlaw certain forms of birth control.
The Oklahoma State Medical Association opposes so-called personhood measures, saying they will threaten the practice of reproductive medicine.