Voters for Choice explained

Co-founded in 1979 by Gloria Steinem and Kristina Kiehl, Voters for Choice was the United States's largest independent, nonpartisan, pro-choice political action committee.^{[1] [2]} Its mission was to raise money and promote policies to maintain safe, legal and accessible abortion services for all women, regardless of geographical location, age or economic status.^[3] Based in Washington, D.C., its main agenda was to elect candidates who support a person's right to make decisions regarding abortion, contraception, and child-bearing without government interference.^[4]

As part of this work, Voters for Choice testified for and against candidates for the Supreme Court of the United States and endorsed candidates for public office.^{[5] [6]} During the 1991–1992 election cycle, Voters for Choice gave $265,000 to pro-choice candidates, 89% going to Democrats.^[7] At their peak, they raised about $1.2 million per year.^[8]

The Planned Parenthood Action Fund merged with Voters for Choice for the 2004 United States Presidential election.^[9]

External links

• Voters for Choice records at the Sophia Smith Collection, Smith College
• Archived copy of the Voters for Choice website at the Library of Congress
• C-SPAN interview with Kristina Kiehl about abortion in the 1986 United States House of Representatives elections
• C-SPAN footage of Kristina Kiehl testimony regarding the nomination of Anthony M. Kennedy to be associate justice of the United States Supreme Court

Notes and References

1. Book: Abortion: Decade of Debate. CQ Researcher by CQ Press. CQ Researcher Online. 1983. 25–44. 2020-05-26.
2. 0886-2567. v. Almanac of federal PACs.. Almanac of Federal Political Action Committees. 2020-05-26. 1986.
3. News: 0190-8286. –1. Mann. Judy. Woman Power. The Washington Post . 1982-07-07. .
4. Web site: Collection: Voters for Choice records Smith College Finding Aids. 2020-05-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20190908151122/https://findingaids.smith.edu/repositories/2/resources/728. 2019-09-08. live.
5. Web site: Kennedy Nomination Day 3, Part 4 C-SPAN.org. 2020-05-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20160218092137/http://www.c-span.org/video/?10499-1%2Fkennedy-nomination-day-3-part-4. 2016-02-18. live.
6. Book: Ness, Immanuel. M.E. Sharpe. 978-0-7656-8022-8. Encyclopedia of Interest Groups and Lobbyists in the United States. 2000.
7. Book: Young, Lisa. UBC Press. 978-0-7748-5070-4. Feminists and Party Politics. Vancouver, CANADA. 2020-05-26. 2000.
8. Web site: Open Secrets. Voters for Choice/Frnds of Fam Planning Summary OpenSecrets. 2020-05-26.
9. Web site: About. Gloria Steinem. 2020-05-26. https://web.archive.org/web/20191207051041/http://www.gloriasteinem.com/about. 2019-12-07. live.