City to vote on late-term abortion ban today

assistant-news@dailylobo.com
@ChloeHenson5

Albuquerque voters will decide today whether to pass an ordinance that would increase regulations on abortions in the city.

The Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Ordinance could ban abortion after 20 weeks, except for situations in which the mother’s life is endangered by the pregnancy.

If voters vote “for” on the ballot, they are voting to ban abortion after 20 weeks. If they vote “against,” voters are voting to keep abortion legal after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

While there are no voting locations on campus, Albuquerque City Clerk Amy Bailey said in an email sent to the Daily Lobo that there are other locations close to UNM for students who want to vote.

“UNM students interested in voting near campus can go to Highland Senior Center, behind Dion’s at Monroe and Central, or Isotopes Park on University,” she said.

According to the city clerk website, voting centers are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Other locations near the University include Montezuma Elementary School at 3100 Indian School Road N.E.; Bandelier Elementary School at 3309 Pershing Ave. S.E. and Alice Hoppes African American Pavilion Expo New Mexico Gate 3 at 310 San Pedro Drive N.E., according to the site.

Voters must have a photo ID to vote in the election.

The Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance, a pro-abortion choice student group, and other organizations collaborated to provide a free trolley service that will take students to and from Jefferson Middle School at 712 Girard Blvd. N.E. to vote on the ordinance.

Shaya Rogers, a member of the FMLA, said the trolley will arrive at Redondo Drive, behind the UNM Bookstore, about every 30 minutes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but students can also reserve a seat on the bus.

“If students go to unmvote.com, you can make a reservation, so they’re ready to pick you up when you’re ready,” she said. “That would be the best way for students to fix it up with their schedule.”

Bailey said her office is expecting a large turnout for the election.

“We had just over 43,880 early voters, which is a record for a city of Albuquerque municipal election,” she said. “We are anticipating a very busy election day based upon the early turnout.”