Rushmore State News

Catholic Vote President Brian Burch said the attack on South Dakota’s abortion restrictions is just the latest step in a larger movement from the abortion industry. 

"Pro-life leaders know the overturning of Roe v. Wade merely ushered in a new phase in the battle to protect unborn children,” Burch said. “The pro-abortion industry is determined to win the war state by state, and has already had successes even in conservative states. The next front is in South Dakota, and a great deal of work must constantly be done to win public opinion to the side of life."

An effort is underway to make South Dakota the eighth state to pass a referendum removing abortion restrictions. When the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, a law that was passed in 2005 was triggered in South Dakota that made the state's restrictions on abortion one of the nation's toughest. Referendum supporters are facing opposition not just from pro-lifers, but from abortion supporters who say the referendum does not go far enough. The measure would allow the state to regulate or prohibit abortion when the baby is viable.

Despite it being a conservative state, the voters of South Dakota have rejected abortion bans in 2006 and 2008. While those pushing the referendum are on track to file more than enough signatures to get it on the ballot, heavyweight pro-abortion groups such as the ACLU and Planned Parenthood have said that the measure will not "adequately reinstate" abortion rights.

South Dakota would not be the first red state to pass such a referendum, as Kentucky, Montana and Ohio have previously.

Madison, Wisconsin-based Catholic Vote is an advocacy organization that wants to “inspire every Catholic in America to live out the truths of our faith in public life,” according to the group’s website. Founded in 2008, its president is Brian Burch.