California initiative would classify abortion as first-degree murder

The California State Capitol in Sacramento, CA. The California State Capitol in Sacramento, CA. Photo: Getty Images Photo: Getty Images Image 1 of / 65 Caption Close California initiative would classify abortion as first-degree murder 1 / 65 Back to Gallery

A statewide initiative to criminalize abortion as first-degree murder is one step closer to appearing on the ballot in November 2018.

According to the Sacramento Bee, supporters of the initiative have been cleared by California Secretary of State Alex Padilla to begin collecting signatures from registered voters to get the initiative to appear as a ballot measure. The initiative needs 585,407 signatures from registered voters to qualify for the ballot.

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The measure also expands the definition of abortion to include "some forms of birth control," "medical research" and "in vitro fertilization."

While it is possible that this initiative makes its way onto the ballot next year, it would be highly unlikely to pass in a state where 79% of registered voters believe that the government should not interfere with access to abortion.

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Daniel Ehinger, the measure's proponent, announced the news on his Facebook page.

"We received our circulating title to gather signatures and work to get Abolishing Abortion on the November 6th, 2018 ballot through a state ballot initiative that would amend our constitution," Ehinger wrote. "Please pray for our efforts. JESUS!"