Right to Life urges voters to say no to a Constitutional Convention

Right to Life of Michigan, the anti-abortion group that staunchly opposed the ultimately successful effort to put abortion rights in the state’s Constitution, said Wednesday voters should still vote no on the proposal to convene a Constitutional Convention.

The press release from the organization comes after The Detroit News reported earlier this week on audio from Rep. Jay DeBoyer, R-Clay, the GOP lieutenant governor candidate, saying a Constitutional Convention might be the only way to remove the constitutional amendment creating a right to reproductive freedom, which includes abortion services.

Amber Roseboom, the group’s president, said it is still urging a no vote on the proposal but appreciates the dialogue around the question that appears before voters every 16 years. Roseboom said Democrats are now trying to use the proposal to say abortion is on the ballot.

“Even if a Constitutional Convention were to be called through passage of the question this year, any recommended changes from the delegates would go before the citizens for a popular vote before being ratified,” she said. “The citizens of our state continue to hold the power. Anyone suggesting otherwise is either misinformed or being intentionally dishonest with voters. Sadly, the Democrats are now using the Constitutional Convention question to wrongly suggest that abortion is on the ballot. Abortion is not on the ballot. The Democrats have more than demonstrated they have no solution to the outsized economic strains their failed leadership has placed on Michigan families. If they care about the future of Michigan, it’s high time they focus on that.”

Democrats, including Sen. Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, the lieutenant governor candidate on the other side of the aisle, have said Republicans, including John James in his campaign for governor, are trying to say one thing and do another on abortion.

James, during a separate media event on Wednesday, said he opposes abortion, but the people have spoken on the issue.

“They have made their decision, and so my goal right now is to focus on better economic and educational opportunities for women. Is to focus on the fact that we have a maternal healthcare issue in the state of Michigan,” he said. “Maternal mortality is increasing, and it should not be. We need to make sure that we treat our women not just like smaller men, but that we treat them and we believe these women, and we make sure they have the resources they need. And so, again, my focus is going to be on making sure that we have better opportunities for all women, and that we’re increasing the choices that they have.”