LIFE ISSUES LOSE IN EVERY 2008 ELECTION BALLOT MEASURE ACROSS THE U.S.

California Proposition 4: Parental Notification REJECTED - LOSS 52% NO - 48% YES This measure would amend the state constitution to require physicians to notify the parents or legal guardian of a pregnant minor at least 48 hours before performing an abortion involving that minor. The measure does not require that parent or guardian's actual consent in order to perform the abortion. Exceptions are provided in the cases of medical emergencies. Also, an adult family may be notified instead if the minor fears abuse from the parent or guardian. Parents may also waive the notification requirement.

Colorado Amendment 48: Person From Fertilization REJECTED - LOSS 73% NO - 27% YES This measure would amend the state constitution to define the term "person" to include "any human being from the moment of fertilization." This definition would be applied to all aspects of the state constitution, including the provisions that ensure that no person has his or her life, liberty, or property taken away without due process of law. Thus, the measure would essentially have the effect of banning abortion.

Michigan Proposition 2: Allow Embryonic Stem Cell Research APPROVED - LOSS 53% YES - 47% NO This measure would amend the state constitution to permit human embryonic stem cell research with certain restrictions. The embryos must have been created for fertility treatment purposes; they must have been otherwise discarded; and they may not be used more than 14 days after cell division has begun.

South Dakota Initiative 11: Abortion Limits REJECTED - LOSS 55% NO - 45% YES This measure would prohibit all abortions in the state except in cases where mother's life or health is at risk or in cases of rape or incest for pregnancies of less than 20 weeks. A similar measure that did not include exceptions for rape or the health of the mother was on the ballot in 2006, but was rejected by voters 44 to 56 percent.

Washington Initiative 1000: Allow Doctor-Assisted Suicide APPROVED - LOSS 58% YES - 42% NO This measure would allow terminally ill, competent, adult residents of the state to request and self-administer lethal medication prescribed by a physician. The person requesting to end his or her life must be medically predicted to have six months or less to live.