Proposition 1 fails, keeping Idaho’s abortion laws in place: What’s next?

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Idaho voters have rejected Proposition 1, leaving the state’s strict abortion laws in place following a high-stakes campaign that drew nearly $10 million in spending from both sides, according to unofficial election results.

As of publication, 55.40% of eligible Idahoans voted no on the measure, with 36 out of 44 localities reporting.

Following the preliminary results, representatives for the "Stop Prop 1" campaign declared victory, saying Idaho votes cannot be bought, and their values will not be shaken.

“The people of Idaho have spoken,” said Mary Strow, Communications Director for Stop Prop 1. “They saw through the smokescreen of deception and barrage of out-of-state funded ads that sought to rewrite our laws and reshape our values. Idaho is and will always be a state that values life and protects the unborn.”

Failure of Proposition 1 means Idaho's current abortion laws will stay in place. Currently, Idaho prohibits abortion, with exceptions in the case of rape or incest, or when necessary to save the mother's life. Physicians who perform unauthorized abortions continue to face potential penalties of three to five years in prison and the suspension of their medical licenses.

Proponents of the measure expressed frustration with the outcome and signaled that their efforts would turn toward state lawmakers.

"It is hard to say what will happen related to our Legislature, but I think we can almost guarantee that they will not provide a solution. They've had four years to provide a solution to the problems caused by this ban, and they have failed to act. We would encourage the tens of thousands, the hundreds of thousands of Idahoans who signed the initiative and voted yes on prop one to reach out to their lawmakers and demand a fix to the problems created by this ban. They need to feel the pressure and the harm that this ban has created," Melanie Folwell, Executive Director of Idahoans United for Women and Families said.