San Antonio voters defeat proposition that would have decriminalized abortion | LIVE ACTION

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By: Bridget Sielicki

Opponents of the measure argued early on against its wide reach. Texas Alliance for Life, a pro-life group, petitioned the Texas Supreme Court in February to block the proposal on the basis that its six distinct and unrelated amendments violated state law. The Court refused to intervene, however, citing its resolve not to interfere in local elections.

Texas law currently protects nearly all preborn children from abortion. Though city officials acknowledged that they would be unable to go against state law should the proposal have passed, they hoped to deprioritize enforcement of abortion laws and send a symbolic message to the state.

San Antonio Voters Overwhelmingly Reject Measure to Legalize Abortions | Life News

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By: Micaiah Bilger

The proposed ordinance, Proposition A, came from pro-abortion groups and basically would have legalized the killing of unborn babies in abortions in San Antonio.

However, the ballot measure failed by a huge margin Saturday with 72 percent of voters opposed, according to the Texas Tribune.

Amy O’Donnell, communications director at Texas Alliance for Life, celebrated the victory after her organization spent months working to defeat the proposal.

“We are tremendously pleased to see that San Antonio voters have defeated Prop A so decisively,” O’Donnell said. “Prop A would have been tragic for unborn children and victims of trafficking who would have been left without the protection from abortion they deserve by San Antonio police.”

Marijuana and abortion will be on the ballot in San Antonio, Texas Supreme Court rules | SAN ANTONIO CURRENT

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By: Michael Karlis

Although the petition filed by Texas Alliance for Life garnered support from state GOP members, including Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, the state’s highest court ultimately ruled that it doesn’t have the power to “stymie” an election. Further litigation would only be appropriate if the measure passes, the justices added.

“The power of initiative is reserved to the people, not granted to them,” Justice Jane N. Bland wrote in her opinion. “Courts must not lightly usurp that power. Our role is to facilitate elections, not to stymie them, and to review the consequences of those elections as the Legislature prescribes.”

San Antonio abortion vote avoids legal challenge — for now | AXIOS SAN ANTONIO

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By: Megan Stringer

What they’re saying: The Texas Supreme Court’s decision adhered “to our longstanding commitment to avoid undue interference with elections,” Justice Jane Bland wrote.

“Our team spent countless hours on research, we know we are well within our legal right,” organizers behind Proposition A wrote on Twitter after the ruling.
The other side: “We are tremendously disappointed in the Texas Supreme Court’s decision … despite obvious violations of state law,” said Amy O’Donnell, the communications director for Texas Alliance for Life, which sought the legal challenge, in a statement.

San Antonio voters to decide on a measure regarding abortion, marijuana, and police actions | BALLOTPEDIA NEWS

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By: Juan Garcia de Paredes

The Texas Alliance for Life, a nonprofit organization that describes itself as pro-life, sued the San Antonio City Clerk and the San Antonio City Council on Feb. 9, alleging the proposed charter amendment violates the Texas Local Government Code, which prohibits multiple-subject charter amendments. The single-subject rule requires ballot initiatives to address a single subject, topic, or issue. Of the 26 states that provide for citizen-initiated ballot measures, 17 of those states have single-subject rules. While Texas does not provide for statewide citizen initiatives, Texas law requires local charter amendments to include only one subject.