Michigan Proposal B, the Abortion Legalization to 20 Weeks Initiative, was on the ballot in Michigan as an indirect initiated state statute on November 7, 1972. The ballot measure was defeated with 60.65% of the vote. However, the U.S. Supreme Court would overturn Michigan's abortion ban in the Roe v. Wade ruling one year later.
Contents The ballot title for Proposal B was as follows:
Support The Michigan Abortion Referendum Committee led the campaign in support of the ballot measure. The Michigan Coordinating Committee for Abortion Law Reform (MCCARL) formed the committee to lead the petition drive and campaign. The ballot initiative was also supported by Michigan Governor William Milliken (R).
Opposition The Voice of the Unborn Coalition led the campaign in opposition to the ballot measure. People Taking Action Against Abortion (PTAAA) and Grand Rapids Right to Life formed the coalition to lead the campaign. Detroit mayor Roman Gribbs (D) also opposed the measure, stating that "We’ve lost sight of the consequences. We’re dealing with human meanings. We’re dealing with life."
Results by county Here are the results of Proposal B by county. Red represents counties won by No. Blue represents counties won by Yes.
CountyNoYes Percentage Votes Percentage VotesAlcona69.7%2,52230.3%1,096Alger70.5%2,62129.5%1,094Allegan72.6%18,56027.4%6,995Alpena76%8,62624%2,717Antrim63.3%3,80536.7%2,210Arenac69.3%3,04830.7%1,348Baraga77.9%2,61922.1%741Barry61.3%9,53038.7%6,008Bay75.6%33,04224.4%10,656Benzie56.3%2,23443.7%1,732 Berrien58%32,10942%23,236 Branch60.6%7,81839.4%5,065 Calhoun55%28,22545%23,126Cass51.8%7,24748.2%6,752Charlevoix64.3%4,78335.7%2,657 Cheboygan72.7%5,22327.3%1,964Chippewa68.3%7,69631.7%3,579Clare65.4%4,33034.6%2,286 Clinton73%13,94127%5,176 Crawford63%1,85637%1,087Delta75.8%11,16924.2%3,573 Dickinson76.5%8,42223.5%2,584Eaton63.3%17,90536.7%10,362Emmet61.3%4,83938.7%3,050Genesee59%91,52241%63,651 Gladwin67.3%3,61032.7%1,758 Gogebic74.2%7,47225.8%2,593Grand Traverse57.8%9,66742.2%7,054Gratiot64.6%9,08635.4%4,979Hillsdale61.7%8,00538.3%4,972Houghton71%10,36329%4,230Huron76.7%10,50223.3%3,184Ingham51%59,22849%56,830Ionia72%12,01628%4,666Iosco64%5,57636%3,133Iron73%5,23027%1,944Isabella60.6%10,37539.4%6,733Jackson61.1%31,74138.9%20,178Kalamazoo52.9%43,31447.1%38,608Kalkaska68.4%1,91931.6%885Kent68.9%116,79531.1%52,726Keweenaw75.3%86424.7%284Lake66.2%1,98533.8%1,012Lapeer65.6%11,27734.4%5,918Leelanau66.6%3,70233.3%1,855Lenawee58.5%16,33141.5%11,608Livingston58.8%14,20741.2%9,949Luce60.4%1,34539.6%882Mackinac71.2%3,49528.8%1,413Macomb64%140,74136%79,217ManisteeMarquette63.7%14,93736.3%8,498Mason67%7,01733%3,448Mecosta63.6%6,63336.4%3,796Menominee76.6%7,92223.4%2,422Midland57.1%14,86742.9%11,152Missaukee79.9%2,91720.1%735Monroe69.9%27,30930.1%11,765Montcalm66.2%9,42033.8%4,800Montmorency70.1%1,84629.9%786Muskegon68.2%38,25631.8%17,830Newaygo71.6%8,74628.4%3,468Oakland48.7%175,14851.3%184,248Oceana71.2%5,35928.8%2,170Ogemaw68.5%3,70831.5%1,705Ontonagon71.9%3,55828.1%1,389Osceola72.9%4,37527.1%1,629 Oscoda69.3%1,47530.7%654Otsego69%3,20531%1,442Ottawa78.4%44,25721.6%12,189Presque Isle78.9%4,78021.1%1,278Roscommon63.6%3,89836.4%2,234Saginaw66.4%47,63733.6%24,125St. Clair67.8%15,39332.2%7,304St. Joseph61.6%10,31138.4%6,437Sanilac74.3%11,12725.7%3,854Schoolcraft69.9%2,76730.1%1,285Shiawassee72.4%17,37227.6%6,621Tuscola70.8%11,96029.2%4,934Van Buren62.4%12,19037.6%7,344Washtenaw41.3%41,993 58.7%59,587Wayne59.7%513,97240.3%346,566Wexford67%5,63633%2,780
References
External links Ballotpedia - Michigan Ballot Measures