2012 Republican Presidential Candidates
We have analyzed the records and statements of the people who are running, or are considering running, for president in the Republican primary. The winner will run against President Barack Obama.
The actions and votes that candidates take in office tell us a lot about what he or she would do if elected president.
Powers of the President
The president has more power over policies that affect our reproductive rights than any other person in government. This unique authority can be used to protect or take away our rights.
Does it matter who gets appointed to the Supreme Court or to lower federal courts? Do the people the president puts in charge of key health-care programs help or hinder women’s freedom and privacy? Could the president stop bad bills from becoming law by vetoing anti-choice legislation?
The answer to all of these questions is yes. That's why we published The Powers of the President: Reproductive Freedom and Choice. This report takes a look at specific ways the president influences whether we are in charge of our personal, private decisions, from abortion to birth control to many other important issues.
Download the report (PDF - 80kb)
Pro-Choice Voter Guide
Find out where candidates in Congressional races stand on choice.
Primary Elections
General Elections
Ballot Measures
Do voters ever decide on issues related to a woman's right to choose? In many states, the answer is yes. Anti-choice groups put measures on the ballot to advance their agenda.
Arkansas
In Arkansas, anti-choice extremists are working to put a far-reaching “personhood” measure on the ballot, similar to the one that an overwhelming majority of Mississippi voters rejected in 2011.
California
In California, anti-choice forces are collecting signatures for ballot measures that would impose a dangerous parental-involvement mandate and mandatory 48-hour delay on young women who seek abortion care. These measures jeopardize the health and safety of young women who, for fear of violence or in cases of incest, cannot turn to their parents. In addition, anti-choice advocates have proposed a "personhood" measure on the ballot, which would ban abortion.
Colorado
In Colorado, anti-choice extremists are working to put a far-reaching “personhood” measure on the ballot, even though Colorado voters defeated similar measures by overwhelming margins in 2008 and 2010.
Florida
Voters in Florida will vote on an amendment that would eliminate protections in Florida's constitution that guarantee women the right to privacy. Florida voters will also vote on a vague and far-reaching measure that could allow employers to deny their employees basic health-insurance coverage.
Georgia
Anti-choice lawmakers have introduced a measure that would put an extreme “personhood” ballot initiative before the voters.
Minnesota
The Minnesota legislature is trying to place a measure on the ballot to ban low-income women from using their state health plans to cover abortion. This ban also could apply to state employee health-insurance plans.
In addition, lawmakers in the state are working to put a “personhood” measure before voters.
Missouri
The Missouri legislature is considering sending two anti-choice ballot measures to voters. If the first measure passes, low-income women in the state would have abortion coverage only in cases of life endangerment – rape and incest survivors would no longer get coverage.
The second allows your boss or a corporation to refuse to provide coverage for any medical service by claiming a moral or religious objection. It is extremely broad and could make it very difficult for women to get reproductive-health services.
Montana
In 2012, Montana voters will face a parental-involvement measure. It would jeopardize the health and safety of young women who, for fear of violence or in cases of incest, cannot turn to their parents. In addition, anti-choice groups are collecting signatures to place a "personhood" measure on the ballot. This measure would outlaw abortion and could even ban common forms of birth control.
Nevada
Anti-choice advocates have initiated a campaign to place a "personhood" measure on the ballot, which could ban abortion and even common forms of birth control. The measure's backers are collecting the signatures needed to qualify it for the ballot.
New Jersey
The New Jersey legislature is trying to place two anti-choice constitutional amendments on the ballot. The first would ban low-income women from using their state health plan to pay for abortion care except in cases of life, rape, and incest. It also would end insurance coverage of abortion for state employees except if a woman’s life is in danger.
The second amendment would remove the protections in the state's constitution that bar parental-involvement mandates. Should this measure pass, the legislature would have the power to enact anti-choice parental-involvement laws that threaten young women’s access to safe, confidential care.
North Dakota
On June 12, 2012, North Dakota voters will vote on Measure 3, which would allow any boss to deny his employees birth-control coverage and other reproductive-health care.
Ohio
Anti-choice advocates in Ohio have initiated a campaign to place a "personhood" measure on the ballot. It would ban abortion and could even make some common forms of birth control illegal. The deadline for submitting the Ohio petition's signatures is July 4, 2012.
Oregon
Anti-choice advocates in Oregon have initiated a campaign to place a "personhood" measure on the ballot, with the intention to ban abortion. In addition, they are collecting signatures to put a measure on the ballot to ban low-income women from using their state health plans to pay for abortion care.
