Care about abortion? Watch South Dakota

SIOUX FALLS - The "personhood amendment" on Colorado's ballot is not generating the national buzz enjoyed by Measure 11 in South Dakota, where supporters are crafting an explicit challenge to Roe v. Wade.

Most of the opponents or supporters of Colorado's Amendment 48 are limited to this state, whereas Measure 11 has created national opposition and support.

The opponents of South Dakota's measure have held a news conference in Washington, D.C., laying out the implications for the national abortion debate.

Why? On a very basic level, consider the polls. A recent poll showed Colorado's amendment headed toward a resounding defeat on Election Day. A poll in South Dakota showed the electorate evenly split on Measure 11.

Colorado's Amendment 48 would define a fertilized egg as a person. Its exact impact on abortions is not clear.

The South Dakota measure would end most abortions with strict exceptions for rape, incest and a narrowly-tailored definition protecting the life and health of the mother.

"We basically want to end 97 percent of abortions in South Dakota," said Brandy Gruis, of Vote Yes For Life. "It's what we want. It reflects the moral compass of our state."

Two years ago, South Dakotans voted down an abortion ban without the exceptions contained in this year's measure. Supporters are confident that a more moderate measure can squeak out a victory in this state where abortion is so rare, doctors are flown in from Minnesota to perform the procedure.

There is consensus on this issue: both supporters and opponents say Measure 11 is a direct challenge to Roe v. Wade.

"National anti-choice activists have chosen South Dakota as a political pawn in their political agenda," said Michelle Trupiano, a campaign manager for South Dakota Campaign for Healthy Families, a group opposing the abortion ban. "The backers of this ban, the anti-choice activists, have said very clearly that they want this to lay the foundation to overturn Roe v. Wade and to ban all abortions, not only in South Dakota but across the United States."

Abortion rights groups are busing in activists from neighboring states to campaign against the measure. Pro-life groups are banking on a well-organized county-by-county network of churches and social groups.

Consider this, while Measure 11 and Colorado's Amendment 48 have generated roughly equal amounts of money spent for and against the initiatives, the spending in South Dakota is more significant because of the smaller voter base.

Groups for an against Colorado's ballot measure have spent roughly 85 cents for each registered voter. In South Dakota, both sides are spending a combined $4.53 per voter.