Idaho’s Prop 1 gets strong support in Ada County as early returns come in

Proposition 1, a ballot measure to expand abortion rights, was leading in early election results released Tuesday night. Yes was the choice of about 52.7% of voters, a number that dwindled as more returns came in from outside of Ada County. In Ada County, Prop 1 was at 61% approval with nearly 120,000 votes counted.

The election brings to a close a pitched battle to expand abortion rights in Idaho, and to prevent the state from prohibiting or interfering with reproductive healthcare, including contraception, fertility treatment, miscarriage management and childbirth care. The proposed legislation would legalize abortion up to the point of fetal viability or in medical emergencies.

The fight drew record levels of fundraising, and legal action, this election season. The “arms race” of contributions for and against the ballot measure, called the Reproductive Freedom and Privacy Act Initiative, tested Idaho campaign finance laws, Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane said. 

As of Tuesday afternoon, Idahoans United for Women and Families — the organization that got Prop 1 on the ballot — had received $4.9 million in donations, spread across 7,500 contributions. Too Extreme for Idaho, the primary organization opposing the initiative, had received $4.6 million, spread across about 300 contributions.

 That included $1.3 million in donations from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and Catholic Diocese. Doctors came out in force in support of the initiative, with nearly 400 signing a letter that said Idaho’s current abortion ban endangers pregnant women. 

Nearly 100 doctors signed a separate letter arguing that the wording of Prop 1 would go too far in expanding abortion access.

And the initiative drew legal action, including a failed bid by opponents to block Prop 1’s TV advertising, which they claimed was funded illegally. 

A Canyon County judge found that the plaintiffs had presented “insufficient evidence” that Prop 1’s supporters had violated campaign finance law. Idaho GOP has threatened to overturn Prop 1, if passed To get Prop 1 on the ballot, supporters gathered over 110,000 signatures from all of Idaho’s 44 counties, the Idaho Statesman previously reported. 

Once they did, opponents dialed up their efforts. The Idaho Republican Party, in particular, heavily publicized its opposition. At its annual meeting in June, members approved a resolution to call on state lawmakers to repeal the abortion initiative if it were to pass. 

Several Republican legislative candidates said they supported doing just that, the Idaho Capital Sun reported in July.

It was a concern Melanie Folwell, the executive director of Idahoans United for Women and Families, alluded to during an October rally. It wouldn’t be enough for Prop 1 to win, she told the crowd.