The Editorial Board urges readers to vote No on Prop 85. If passed, the proposition will require that a parent or legal guardian be notified at least 48 hours before an abortion is performed on a minor — a change that will disproportionately hurt disadvantaged young women.

Pro-choice voters can be reasonably expected to vote against this proposition, which restricts a woman’s reproductive rights. An editorial arguing against the proposition would be redundant for them as we would be preaching to the choir. What the Board would like to address seriously and earnestly are the concerns of pro-life voters and others who generally oppose abortion.

The Board recognizes that pro-life voters hold sincere and principled views against abortion. The people who hold these views represent a significant segment of California’s population, and it is necessary to engage respectfully with their beliefs. For them, abortion represents nothing short of the murder of an innocent life. The Board recognizes the enormity of the decisions involved when a woman chooses to have an abortion, and we hope that no one makes these decisions flippantly.

It is not our intention to dismiss the views of those who oppose abortion. Nevertheless, your view of Prop 85 can be independent of your view on abortion. In fact, the division between pro-life and pro-choice voters obscures the central issue of Prop 85. Even if you firmly oppose abortion as a matter of principle, there are good reasons why you should vote against Prop 85.

Voting no for Prop 85 will not make abortion illegal in the state of California. But it will effectively eliminate the option of an abortion for many who desperately seek one. Instead of obtaining an abortion performed by a medical professional, pregnant teens may risk dangerous procedures rather than risk notifying their parents.

If the intent of Prop 85 is to create a deterrent for errant teenagers, be mindful that many teenagers with unwanted pregnancies probably did not consider the consequences of their actions until it was too late. It is unlikely that Prop 85 would seriously impact the decision-making process of teens. If it creates any dread or remorse, it will only do so after the fact, when the damage has already been done.

If the intent of Prop 85 is to encourage family participation in teen pregnancies, consider that many pregnant teens compelled to seek out secret abortions are unlikely to have supportive families. In these scenarios, family “participation” could entail domestic violence and abuse.

Some argue that Prop 85 would prevent sexual predators from forcing pregnant teens into having secret abortions. However, one needs to consider the stark asymmetry in the situation. There are multiple avenues for concerned and loving parents to find out if their daughter is having a secret abortion. In contrast, a desperate pregnant teenager from an unsupportive family background faces a severe lack of options.

The reality is that Prop 85 will inordinately affect teenagers who are vulnerable and disadvantaged. Some of us may be particularly sympathetic to their plight, while others may condemn their decision as irresponsible and chalk it up to weak moral fiber or unfortunate social conditions. Whatever the case, we cannot help but realize that the proposition will affect the individuals who can least afford to bear its consequences.

These are the young women who have the least recourse to alternatives. These are the young women who are most likely to seek unsafe abortions to circumvent parental notification. It is precisely these severely disadvantaged young women whom we need to protect. Regardless of your personal objections to abortion, vote no on Prop 85.