Parental Notification - Three Strikes and You’re Out!

For the third time in four years, voters in California rejected a measure that would have endangered the health and safety of pregnant teenagers. Proposition 4 represents a third strike against mandatory parental notification laws and the harms they cause.

The ACLU of Northern California is pleased and proud that voters made it clear that the health and safety of young women must come first, before abortion politics. Proponents of this measure would be wise to respect the wishes of California voters and put this issue to rest.

The defeat of Prop. 4 guarantees that all teens, no matter what their circumstance, will continue to be able to access professional medical care and counseling without unnecessary and dangerous delays.

The breadth and success of the No on 4 campaign this time around has much to do with the tireless efforts of volunteer activists who worked with the ACLU and Planned Parenthood to reach voters through nearly 150,000 personal telephone conversations over the course of the last few months. These volunteers focused their determination at the grassroots, and their principled activism made all the difference.

The ACLU of Northern California congratulates all of the volunteers and donors, and most importantly the voters, who have helped put Prop. 4 behind us.