The South Dakota Campaign for Health Families (SDCHF [5]) has initiated a petition drive to overturn the state's ban on abortion through a referendum. The Campaign, a newly formed multi-partisan coalition, would, according to its statement, "allow South Dakotans to vote to overturn the nation's most extreme abortion law, signed by Governor Mike Rounds on March 6, 2006. This law clearly endangers the health of women in South Dakota and violates the right of women and families to make private, personal health care decisions." The South Dakota legislation bans all abortions except those intended to save the life of a pregnant woman.

To qualify for the November ballot, the Campaign must gather the signatures of 16,728 registered voters by June 19. If the ballot initiative qualifies, the legislation will be stayed and will not go into effect in July as planned.

According to the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice (RCRC [6]), choice for women in South Dakota is already severely restricted due to the lack of abortion clinics in the state. Planned Parenthood operates the only clinic in South Dakota, staffed by doctors from neighboring Minnesota. RCRC reports that Planned Parenthood plans to immediately file suit to stop the new law.