Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the guest author and not necessarily of Live Action or Live Action News.
On Tuesday, November 8, citizens in four Texas cities and six Nebraska villages cast their final votes on local ballot measures regarding ordinances which would outlaw abortion within their jurisdiction. The 10 municipalities voting on local abortion bans included the villages of Arnold (pop. 597), Brady (pop. 428), Hershey (pop. 665), Paxton (pop. 523), and Wallace (pop. 366) in Nebraska, the city of Curtis (pop. 939) in Nebraska, and the cities of Abilene (pop.124,407), Athens (pop. 13,121), Plainview (pop. 22,343), and San Angelo (pop. 101,612) in Texas.
Out of the 10 ballot measures, only one failed to pass.
Athens, Texas
The citizens of the city of Athens, Texas (pop. 13,121), located in Henderson County, voted for life and became the 53rd city in the nation (and the 45th in Texas) to pass an enforceable ordinance outlawing abortion within their city limits. The results were 58% for the ordinance and 42% against — a difference of 16 points.
The ordinance adds further restrictions on abortion, prohibiting abortions performed on Athens residents — regardless of what state those abortions take place in. The Athens Ordinance also explicitly condemns the legacy of Curtis Wayne Boyd, who killed over 10,000 unborn children through illegal abortions prior to Roe v. Wade and opened up the first “legal” abortion facility in Texas after the 1973 ruling.
The exact totals were 57.79% for and 42.20% against. The breakdown was as follows: FOR – 1,579 (Absentee – 84; Early Voting – 1,042; Election Day – 453) against – 1,153 (Absentee – 84; Early Voting – 731; Election Day – 338) Total cast – 2,732 (Absentee – 168; Early Voting – 1,773; Election Day – 791).
After the vote, Athens resident Mistie Sharp shared, “I am so thankful for all the support and the churches that have come together to fight for life! This was for those 10,000 babies that never had a voice. Those babies who were illegally killed by Curtis Wayne Boyd right here in Athens in the late 1960’s and for all the millions of babies’ lives that Boyd took or taught other abortionists how to take. The curse is broken in Athens!”
Abilene, Texas
Right To Life of East Texas Director Mark Lee Dickson takes a picture with Pastors Scott Beard and Chuck Farina, along with their wives, who led the Abilene Initiative. (Photo courtesy of Mark Lee Dickson)
The citizens of the City of Abilene, Texas (pop. 124,407), located in Taylor and Jones Counties, voted for life and became the 54th city in the nation (and the 46th city in Texas) to pass an enforceable ordinance outlawing abortion within their city limits. The results were 53 % for the ordinance and 47% against the ordinance – a difference of 6 points.
The ordinance adds further restrictions on abortion prohibiting abortions performed on Abilene residents – regardless of what state those abortions take place in.
The exact totals were 52.79% FOR and 47.21% AGAINST. The breakdown was as follows: FOR – 14,936 (Absentee – 555; Early Voting – 10,050; Election Day – 4,331) AGAINST – 13,355 (Absentee – 636; Early Voting – 8,762; Election Day – 3,957) TOTAL CAST – 28,291 (Absentee – 1,191; Early Voting – 18,812; Election Day – 8,288).
Like the vote in Athens, the vote in Abilene also carried a special significance relating to the history of abortion in America. Abilene was the birthplace of Sarah Weddington, who represented Norma McCorvey (Jane Roe) in Roe v. Wade (1973). Weddington passed away in December 2021, about 20 days into a time period when residents of Abilene were just starting to collect signatures as part of the citizen initiative petition process.
After the vote, Abilene resident Charles Byrn said, “I think it has been a long hard battle, but God put his arms around Abilene and said, ‘Yes, you will be a Sanctuary City.’” Byrn first approached his City Council, alongside various pro-life groups from across the state, in July of 2019 — when only the city of Waskom had outlawed abortion. “We were supposed to be second, but I’ll settle for being 54th!”
Arnold, Nebraska
The citizens of the Village of Arnold, Nebraska (pop. 597), which is located in Custer County, voted for life and became the 55th city in the nation (and the fourth municipality in Nebraska) to pass an enforceable ordinance outlawing abortion within their city limits. The results were 60% for the ordinance and 40% against — a difference of 20 points.
The exact totals were 60.24% for and 39.75% against. The breakdown was as follows: For – 150 (Early Voting – 4; Election Day – 146) Against – 99 (Early Voting – 12; Election Day – 87) Total cast – 249 (Early Voting – 16; Election Day – 233).
Reflecting upon the vote, Arnold resident Lori Stutzman shared, “I praise God for moving in the hearts of Arnold residents to vote for this ordinance to stop any abortion from happening on our soil. I pray many more towns and cities in our state and around the country will follow and do the same.”
Paxton, Nebraska
The citizens of the Village of Paxton, Nebraska (pop. 523), located in Keith County, became the 56th city in the nation (and the fifth municipality in Nebraska) to pass an enforceable ordinance outlawing abortion within their jurisdiction. The results were 52% for the ordinance and 48% against — a difference of 4 points.
The exact totals were 52.15% for and 47.84% against. The breakdown was as follows: For – 97; Against – 89; Total cast – 186.
The Paxton SCFTU Initiative was led by Will Forbes, a Paxton resident and the pastor of Paxton New Life Lutheran Church. Forbes stated, “The Roe v. Wade decision back in 1973 has had a tremendous influence in helping to subvert the conscience of our land so that we have become a violent culture. Our task is large. Helping to reinvigorate and again establish our cultural conscience is a large task and will not happen overnight. What we proclaimed on Election Day in this little town must be proclaimed in the next town and the next and the next. We must bring civility back to our land.”
Brady, Nebraska
The citizens of the Village of Brady, Nebraska (pop. 428), located in Lincoln County, became the 57th city in the nation (and the sixth municipality in Nebraska) to pass an enforceable ordinance outlawing abortion. The results were 57% for and 43% against — a 14-point difference.
The exact totals were 57.14% for and 42.85% against. The breakdown was as follows: For – 84; Against – 63; Total cast – 147.
Mike Seibel, a graduate from Creighton School of Law in Omaha and general counsel for Abortion On Trial, was encouraged to hear of the Village of Brady outlawing abortion. Seibel said, “The citizens of Brady have voted to make sure that the men, women, and children of their community are protected against the unsafe and unregulated abortion industry which ends the lives of children and leaves their parents with lifelong trauma.” Seibel continued, “This is a historic day for the village of Brady and serves as another stepping stone to an abortion-free Nebraska.”
Hershey, Nebraska
Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn ambassadors take a picture with Hershey Initiative Leaders in Hershey, Nebraska. (Photo: Mark Lee Dickson)
The citizens of the Village of Hershey, Nebraska (pop. 665), located in Lincoln County, was the 58th city in the nation (and the seventh municipality in Nebraska) to pass an enforceable ordinance outlawing abortion. The vote also made Hershey the second community in Lincoln County to have outlawed abortion. The results were 57% for and 43% against the ordinance — a 14-point difference.
The exact totals were 57.47% for and 42.58% against. The breakdown was as follows: For – 151; Against – 112; Total – 263.
After hearing about the victory, Hershey resident Andrea Foster proclaimed, “I am so proud of our small town for coming together and showing our stance on abortion. Every life is precious and has value. I’m so happy that we did our part to help protect unborn children in Hershey, Nebraska.”
Wallace, Nebraska
Leaders of the Paxton Initiative, Bill and Susan Forbes take a picture with supporters Ed and Donna Hahn, and the leader of the Wallace Initiative Jim Smith. (Photo: Mark Lee Dickson)
The citizens of the Village of Wallace, Nebraska (pop. 366), located in Lincoln County, was the 59th city in the nation (and the eighth municipality in Nebraska) to pass an enforceable ordinance outlawing abortion. The vote made Wallace the third community in Lincoln County to have outlawed abortion. The results were 64% for the ordinance and 36% against the ordinance – a 28-point difference.
The exact totals were 64.28% for/35.71% against. The breakdown was as follows: For – 72; Against – 40; Total cast – 112.
The passage of the ordinance in five Nebraska villages prompted a response from Mayor Kim Primavera, who serves as the Board Chair of the Village of Hayes Center, Nebraska (pop. 288). In April 2021, Hayes Center became the first municipality outside of Texas to pass an ordinance outlawing abortion within their jurisdiction. Mayor Primavera shared, “I am pleased that five local communities, including the Village of Wallace, voted in favor of becoming Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn. I am so thankful that my family and I live in a wonderful and God-fearing part of Nebraska.”
San Angelo, Texas
Leader of the San Angelo Initiative Ryan Buck, takes a picture with supporters ready to see San Angelo become a Sanctuary City for the Unborn. (Photo: Mark Lee Dickson)
Citizens of the City of San Angelo, Texas (pop. 101,612), located in Tom Green County, became the 60th city in the nation (and the 47th city in Texas) to pass an enforceable ordinance outlawing abortion. The results were 56% for and 44% against – a 12-point difference.
The ordinance adds further restrictions on abortion prohibiting abortions performed on San Angelo residents – regardless of what state those abortions take place in.
The exact totals were 56.02% for/43.98% against. The breakdown was as follows: For – 13,180 (Absentee – 732; Early Voting – 8,167; Election Day – 4,281) Against – 10,349 (Absentee – 690; Early Voting – 6,163; Election Day – 3,496) Total cast – 23,529 (Absentee – 1,422; Early Voting – 14,330; Election Day – 7,777).
Pastor Ryan Buck of Immanuel Baptist Church in San Angelo was one of the individuals who led the charge in San Angelo. After hearing the official confirmation of the victory, he observed, “The results of the election reflect what the coalition of our churches who led the campaign have believed all along. Abortion is murder and a degradation to our position as image bearers of God. Our victory should give our community leaders the backbone they need to stand for the moral issues of our day.”
Plainview, Texas
Citizens of the City of Plainview, Texas (pop. 22,343), located in Hale County, became the 61st city in the nation (and the 48th in Texas) to pass an enforceable ordinance outlawing abortion within their city limits. The results were 69% for and 31% against – a 38-point difference.
The ordinance adds further restrictions on abortion prohibiting abortions performed on Plainview residents – regardless of what state those abortions take place in.
The exact totals were 69.25% for/30.75% against, with this breakdown: For – 2,423 (Absentee – 116; Early Voting – 1,452; Election Day – 855) Against – 1,076 (Absentee – 61; Early Voting – 588; Election Day – 427) Total cast – 3,499 (Absentee – 177; Early Voting – 2,040; Election Day – 1,282).
Jim Baxa, President of the Lubbock-based West Texas For Life, was pleased by the results. “I am excited to see Plainview join in a long line of West Texas cities in banning abortion. The solid margin of victory shows that the people of Plainview want abortion outlawed,” said Baxa.
Curtis, Nebraska – FAILED
The only community on the ballot whose citizens did not pass the ordinance was the city of Curtis, Nebraska (pop. 939), located in Frontier County. Its citizens voted 29% in favor and 71% against — a difference of 42 points (exact totals were 29.27% for/70.72% against). The breakdown was as follows: For – 77 (Early Voting – 4; Election Day – 73) Against – 186 (Early Voting – 18; Election Day – 168) Total cast – 263 (Early Voting – 241; Election Day – 22).
As a result, abortion is still legal in Curtis, Nebraska.
Former news director for NBC affiliate KNOP in North Platte, Melanie Standiford, shared after the vote, “I lost my livelihood in my pursuit of respecting human life, but more importantly babies – human babies – are losing their lives daily and that is a tragedy we must stand against.”
Standiford continued, “We must not let the defeat of those who selfishly refuse to stand for what is right discourage us in continuing to help protect the smallest and most vulnerable of us. There are those standing for the unborn in Curtis, Nebraska but it is terrifying the larger number of those who refuse to see the eternally deadly message they are sharing – especially in Nebraska’s Easter City, a city with three crosses on our city’s welcome signs.”
The significant victory comes a day after another significant victory when Hobbs, New Mexico (pop. 41,604) adopted a “sanctuary city for the unborn” ordinance, making it the first city in that state to pass an ordinance which results in the cessation of abortion access within the community.
These victories bring the total number of ordinances passed by the Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn Initiative to a whopping 61 ordinances which have been passed throughout the United States since June 11, 2019. So far 48 ordinances have been passed in Texas, 8 ordinances in Nebraska, 2 ordinances in Ohio, 1 ordinance in Louisiana, 1 ordinance in Iowa, and 1 ordinance in New Mexico.
