1972 Michigan Proposal B Explained

Proposal B
Abortion Legalization to 20 Weeks Initiative
Yes:1,270,416
No:1,958,265
Total:3,228,681
Map:1972 Michigan Proposal B results map by county.svg
Mapcaption:NoYes
Notes:Source: Right to Life of Michigan[1]

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:[2]

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.[3] The ballot initiative was also supported by Michigan Governor William Milliken (R).[4]

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.[5] 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."[6]

Results by county

Here are the results of Proposal B by county. Red represents counties won by No. Blue represents counties won by Yes.[7]

CountyNoYes
PercentageVotesPercentageVotes
Alcona69.7%2,52230.3%1,096
Alger70.5%2,62129.5%1,094
Allegan72.6%18,56027.4%6,995
Alpena76%8,62624%2,717
Antrim63.3%3,80536.7%2,210
Arenac69.3%3,04830.7%1,348
Baraga77.9%2,61922.1%741
Barry61.3%9,53038.7%6,008
Bay75.6%33,04224.4%10,656
Benzie56.3%2,23443.7%1,732
Berrien58%32,10942%23,236
Branch60.6%7,81839.4%5,065
Calhoun55%28,22545%23,126
Cass51.8%7,24748.2%6,752
Charlevoix64.3%4,78335.7%2,657
Cheboygan72.7%5,22327.3%1,964
Chippewa68.3%7,69631.7%3,579
Clare65.4%4,33034.6%2,286
Clinton73%13,94127%5,176
Crawford63%1,85637%1,087
Delta75.8%11,16924.2%3,573
Dickinson76.5%8,42223.5%2,584
Eaton63.3%17,90536.7%10,362
Emmet61.3%4,83938.7%3,050
Genesee59%91,52241%63,651
Gladwin67.3%3,61032.7%1,758
Gogebic74.2%7,47225.8%2,593
Grand Traverse57.8%9,66742.2%7,054
Gratiot64.6%9,08635.4%4,979
Hillsdale61.7%8,00538.3%4,972
Houghton71%10,36329%4,230
Huron76.7%10,50223.3%3,184
Ingham51%59,22849%56,830
Ionia72%12,01628%4,666
Iosco64%5,57636%3,133
Iron73%5,23027%1,944
Isabella60.6%10,37539.4%6,733
Jackson61.1%31,74138.9%20,178
Kalamazoo52.9%43,31447.1%38,608
Kalkaska68.4%1,91931.6%885
Kent68.9%116,79531.1%52,726
Keweenaw75.3%86424.7%284
Lake66.2%1,98533.8%1,012
Lapeer65.6%11,27734.4%5,918
Leelanau66.6%3,70233.3%1,855
Lenawee58.5%16,33141.5%11,608
Livingston58.8%14,20741.2%9,949
Luce60.4%1,34539.6%882
Mackinac71.2%3,49528.8%1,413
Macomb64%140,74136%79,217
Manistee
Marquette63.7%14,93736.3%8,498
Mason67%7,01733%3,448
Mecosta63.6%6,63336.4%3,796
Menominee76.6%7,92223.4%2,422
Midland57.1%14,86742.9%11,152
Missaukee79.9%2,91720.1%735
Monroe69.9%27,30930.1%11,765
Montcalm66.2%9,42033.8%4,800
Montmorency70.1%1,84629.9%786
Muskegon68.2%38,25631.8%17,830
Newaygo71.6%8,74628.4%3,468
Oakland48.7%175,14851.3%184,248
Oceana71.2%5,35928.8%2,170
Ogemaw68.5%3,70831.5%1,705
Ontonagon71.9%3,55828.1%1,389
Osceola72.9%4,37527.1%1,629
Oscoda69.3%1,47530.7%654
Otsego69%3,20531%1,442
Ottawa78.4%44,25721.6%12,189
Presque Isle78.9%4,78021.1%1,278
Roscommon63.6%3,89836.4%2,234
Saginaw66.4%47,63733.6%24,125
St. Clair67.8%15,39332.2%7,304
St. Joseph61.6%10,31138.4%6,437
Sanilac74.3%11,12725.7%3,854
Schoolcraft69.9%2,76730.1%1,285
Shiawassee72.4%17,37227.6%6,621
Tuscola70.8%11,96029.2%4,934
Van Buren62.4%12,19037.6%7,344
Washtenaw41.3%41,993 58.7%59,587
Wayne59.7%513,97240.3%346,566
Wexford67%5,63633%2,780

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Abortion Legalization Proposal - Proposal B of 1972. Right to Life of Michigan. July 23, 2022.
  2. Web site: Michigan Proposal B, Abortion Legalization to 20 Weeks Initiative (1972). Ballotpedia. July 23, 2022.
  3. Web site: Michigan Abortion Referendum Committee Records: 1969-1972. University of Michigan Bentley Historical Library. July 23, 2022.
  4. News: Abortion Law Change Is Opposed By Gribbs - Detroit Free Press. Newspapers.com. November 1, 1972. July 23, 2022.
  5. Karrer. Robert N.. The Formation of Michigan's Anti-Abortion Movement 1967-1974. Michigan Historical Review. 22. 1996. 1 . 67–107 . 10.2307/20173555 . 20173555 . July 23, 2022.
  6. News: Abortion Law Change Is Opposed By Gribbs - Detroit Free Press. Newspapers.com. November 1, 1972. July 23, 2022.
  7. Web site: Proposal B of 1972 - Vote to Legalize Abortion in Michigan - County by County Breakdown. Right to Life of Michigan. November 2018. July 23, 2022.