Voters: Prop 3 Campaigners Shamelessly Lied to You

By Chris Gast, Right to Life of Michigan Education Coordinator

Since the text of Proposal 3 was first revealed, it was blatantly obvious to us that Proposal 3 would be perhaps the most legally impactful constitutional amendment in Michigan history. Its legal language was so broad that it justifies practically anything on any topic touching pregnancy.

However, for many voters not used to reading legislation, Proposal 3 was extremely confusing. Adding to the confusion is the campaign run by Proposal 3 supporters. Their entire $40 million dollar campaign strategy hinged on convincing voters of two basic points:

This amendment (that would change everything) is only about changing the 1931 law
Without this amendment, Michigan’s abortion law (that has a life of mother exception and was blocked by courts) wouldn’t allow treatment for mothers’ who lives are at risk.

These were both blatant, knowing lies. That’s not just our characterization of their statements. The Proposal 3 campaign literally said Proposal 3 would not change any other law in any way, ever.

Hours after the polls closed, Proposal 3 supporters already began telling the media that the amendment was just the beginning.

One of the authors of the amendment, Planned Parenthood Michigan’s Executive Director Nicole Wells Stallworth said, “We’re not slowing down here in Michigan. We look forward to working with state leaders like Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to ensure that reproductive freedom is not a right in name only.”

Bridge Michigan interviewed pro-abortion State Rep. Julie Brixie, who said lawmakers expect to “codify” Proposal 3. They would “adjust” or repeal more abortion laws to make them comply with Proposal 3: “There will be additional legislation that will be necessary to carry it all out,” Brixie said.

They already have highlighted two laws they want to repeal: our state’s 24-hour waiting period, and our law protecting people from paying for abortions through health insurance.

They said this Tuesday, hours after swearing to you no other laws than the 1931 abortion ban would be affected.

Michigan voters: they lied to you. They don’t care. They couldn’t hide their glee for a single day. They don’t respect you; their opinion of your intelligence or focus is so low they are counting on you forgetting what they said hours ago.

Undoubtedly the same Michigan media voices who ran interference for Proposal 3 by running “factchecks” saying it won’t affect parental consent or other abortion laws will gaslight you into going along with more. They don’t respect you either; they tell you what you need to think.

Proposal 3 could not win on its own merits. They had to lie to win. Proposal 3 authors figured that out quickly and gaslit voters about how they never said it would end parental consent or allow non-doctors to do abortions. Dozens of laws that are now at risk have been on the books for decades. They are popular and supported by common sense people. They haven’t caused any dire scenarios or women to die. These liars are coming for them all—the only question is how quickly.

Michigan voters: don’t let them get away with this. Don’t let them treat you as a bunch of rubes. Hold them accountable. Don’t let the media gaslight you on this.

If they will so brazenly lie to you about this, what else have they been lying to you about?