“I thought we decided on this.”

The grassroots is what it is all about at the South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families.  Since July, we have been wearing the soles of our shoes thin, and the keypads on our phones out, asking voters to read the fine print of Measure 11.  But it’s worth it.

The main goal of this effort is to educate voters.  When we get someone on the other end of a call or on the other side of their front door, we’re finding most of them are surprised, and less than pleased that we’re voting on abortion once again.

Like us, they feel the people in this state spoke loud and clear in 2006.  Once we explain to them how what they’re voting on is a sweeping ban on abortion with so-called “exceptions,” they have no problem pledging to us that they’ll be voting NO on Initiated Measure 11.

Most recently, we’ve had tables at the Central States Fair in Rapid City and the South Dakota State Fair in Huron.  The reception has been a warm one, and not surprisingly, the reaction to another ban on abortion was the same as it is during our door-to-door canvassing and phone calls:  “What?  Again?  I thought we decided on this.”

Melissa Krause is helping guide the Campaign’s West River efforts.  She describes her experiences:

I have come to several realizations during and after working the Healthy Families booth at the Central States Fair.  I am now more humble after talking with South Dakotans.  I know there is a lot of work to do in the next few months and I will keep working to send my message about Measure 11 and it’s devastating consequences. 

Many South Dakotans are truly confused and torn on which way they will be voting.  Many people would like to think of abortion as a simple black and white issue - an "us vs. them" issue.  But, there are a great number of people who know deep down that this is a truly complex issue that deserves a complex answer.  Imagine all of the answers as to why the Government should NOT intrude into personal, family decisions. 

This is not a black and white issue.  It is not a grey issue either, but instead an issue that is grey with blue, pink, green, yellow, and orange hues.  As people stopped by the booth to learn more about Measure 11, they could see the dangers and consequences of this passing.  In fact, many were outraged at the idea of a woman's medical records being seized by the State.  (See Measure 11, sec.18.)  They know South Dakota is a small state with even smaller towns and communities. 

It takes time to explain why Measure 11 is so poorly crafted because it is not a simple or singular  answer.  But, remembering the faces of the people we reached, I know every minute at the fair was worth it.

Supporters in Huron were thrilled to see us at the State Fair.  It was yet another great opportunity to educate folks on what is actually contained in this abortion ban.