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Amarillo Ledger

Storyline · 16 events · May 25, 2021 – about Sep 2025

The citizen-initiated "Sanctuary City for the Unborn" ordinance and Proposition A (2023-2026)

The Amarillo City Council discussed local abortion-related ordinances in October and December 2023 without adopting one. On December 29, 2023 an initiating committee of 11 Amarillo registered voters began a citizen initiative under Article II, Section 23 of the City Charter for an 18-page "Ordinance Outlawing Abortion, Declaring Amarillo a Sanctuary City for the Unborn," enforced only through private civil lawsuits. A petition with 10,383 signatures was filed April 25, 2024 and certified May 16. On June 11, 2024 the council rejected the committee's amended and original versions, each 4-1 (Councilmember Don Tipps voting no on the motions to reject). The committee certified that it wanted a public vote, and on August 13, 2024 the council ordered a November 5 special election on the ordinance as Proposition A, 4-1, after changing the ballot wording; it condensed the ballot text 5-0 on September 10. Voters rejected Proposition A, about 59.5% to 40.5%. The City Secretary said the Charter bars a new initiative on the same subject for three years after the election.

A storyline groups dated events in order. It is a chronology, not an argument; it does not say why anything happened. All storylines

Where the story starts depends on the framing

  1. · Precursor

    Council lists a "Sanctuary City for the Unborn Ordinance" for an executive session with the City Attorney

    At its May 25, 2021 regular meeting, under Mayor Ginger Nelson, the council convened in executive session under Texas Government Code Section 551.071 to consult the City Attorney on items including "Sanctuary City for the Unborn Ordinance." The minutes record no open-session action on the topic. The Amarillo Tribune later reported that the proposal was first introduced to Amarillo in 2021 by the director of Right to Life of East Texas and an Amarillo resident.[1][2]

    Ginger NelsonCole StanleyFreda PowellEddy SauerHoward Smith

    • ✓ Verified

      The minutes of the May 25, 2021 regular meeting list "Sanctuary City for the Unborn Ordinance" among the matters on which the council consulted the City Attorney in executive session under Texas Government Code Section 551.071; no open-session action on it is recorded. [1]

    • ✓ Verified

      The Amarillo Tribune reported that the proposition was first introduced to Amarillo in 2021 by the director of Right to Life East Texas, an anti-abortion advocacy organization based in Longview, and an Amarillo resident. [2]

  2. · Precursor

    Organizer holds an interest meeting in Amarillo on a Sanctuary City for the Unborn ordinance

    According to the Amarillo Tribune, on July 13, 2023 the founder of the Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn Initiative, who does not live in Amarillo, held an interest meeting at an Amarillo church proposing that the city adopt the ordinance.[3]

    • ✓ Verified

      According to the Amarillo Tribune, on July 13, 2023 the founder of the Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn Initiative, who is not an Amarillo resident, held an interest meeting at Trinity Fellowship Church proposing that Amarillo pass the Sanctuary City for the Unborn Ordinance. [3]

  3. · Origin

    Council discusses state abortion law and possible local ordinances; 49 people speak

    The October 24, 2023 regular meeting agenda listed a discussion of "recent State of Texas actions related to prohibiting abortion and related activities, such as the Texas Heartbeat Act," bills from the 88th Legislative Session "and any other local ordinance that could be considered." Interim City Manager Andrew Freeman presented the item, Mayor Cole Stanley asked each councilmember to state a position, and the minutes record that 49 people spoke: 15 for the item, 29 against and five on it. No vote was taken.[4][5]

    Cole StanleyAndrew FreemanJosh CraftDon TippsTom ScherlenLes Simpson

    • ✓ Verified

      The minutes of October 24, 2023 record that after Interim City Manager Andrew Freeman presented the item and each councilmember and the mayor shared their positions, 49 people spoke: 15 for the item, 29 against and five on it. No motion or vote on the item is recorded. [4][5]

      Speakers
      49
      Speakers for
      15
      Speakers against
      29
      Speakers on
      5

  4. · Related development

    Residents speak on the proposed ordinance during public comment; council sets a work session

    At the December 12, 2023 regular meeting, speakers addressed the Sanctuary City for the Unborn proposal during public comment, although it was not an agenda item, so the council did not discuss or vote on it. The mayor announced a December 19 meeting at the Civic Center to discuss the topic. NewsChannel10 reported that Mayor Stanley said, "The ordinance that you're referencing is not an ordinance that I'm in favor of."[6][7]

    Cole Stanley

    • ✓ Verified

      The December 12, 2023 minutes record that "The Mayor announced a special meeting will be held December 19th at 3:00 p.m. at the Hospitality Room of the Amarillo Civic Center for City Council to discuss the Sanctuary City topic." NewsChannel10 reported that the comments came during a listening session on an item not on the agenda, so there was no vote or discussion. [6][7]

    • ✓ Verified

      Cole Stanley, Mayor: Mayor Cole Stanley said, "The ordinance that you're referencing is not an ordinance that I'm in favor of," and that the council was asking "how do we not infringe on anybody's civil liberties and still protect life." [7]

  5. · Related development

    Council work session reviews three draft abortion ordinances; no vote

    At a December 19, 2023 work session held at the Civic Center, listed as "Discuss ordinance protecting human life by adding abortion-related restrictions," the council reviewed three drafts (A, B and C) without public comment or a vote. NewsChannel10 and the Amarillo Globe-News reported that councilmembers favored combining Drafts A and B, which addressed the abortion pill mifepristone and the disposal of fetal remains, pending legal review, and did not agree on Draft C, which addressed "abortion trafficking." Mayor Stanley said any ordinance the council put forward would not have travel restrictions.[8][9][10]

    Cole StanleyJosh CraftDon TippsTom ScherlenLes Simpson

    • ✓ Verified

      At the December 19, 2023 work session the council reviewed three drafts. NewsChannel10 reported that councilmembers favored combining Drafts A and B, pending legal review, covering regulation of the abortion pill mifepristone and the disposal of human remains, with possession of the pill to be a Class C misdemeanor, and that they did not all agree on the 18-page Draft C, which addressed abortion trafficking. The session included a presentation by a Florida physician; no public comment was taken and no vote was held. [8][9][10]

    • ✓ Verified

      The Amarillo Globe-News reported that Councilmembers Josh Craft and Don Tipps called for an ordinance to protect life and favored some private enforcement; Councilmember Tom Scherlen said "I do not believe in government overreach" and objected to transportation provisions; Councilmember Les Simpson's main concern was enforcing a travel provision locally; and Mayor Stanley said any ordinance would have no travel restrictions. [10]

    • ✓ Verified

      Cole Stanley, Mayor: Mayor Stanley said, "Anything that we put forward will not have any travel restrictions," and that the council expected public readings of a draft in January 2024. [9]

  6. · Starting point

    Initiating committee files a statement and proposed ordinance with the City Secretary

    A committee of 11 Amarillo registered voters filed a statement and proposed "Ordinance Outlawing Abortion, Declaring Amarillo a Sanctuary City for the Unborn" with the City Secretary, starting the initiative process in Article II, Section 23 of the City Charter. The proposed ordinance would add Chapter 8-6, "Abortion," to the Municipal Code. On January 23, 2024 the council met in executive session with the City Attorney on the "Statement of Initiating Committee (Petition Process)."[11][12][13][14]

    • ✓ Verified

      The City's staff memo for Resolution 08-13-24-2 states that on December 29, 2023 a committee of 11 people (the Initiating Committee) "began an initiative process by filing a statement and proposed ordinance outlawing abortion, declaring Amarillo a Sanctuary City for the Unborn." The May 28, 2024 memo describes them as "an Initiating Committee of Amarillo registered voters." [11][12]

    • ✓ Verified

      NewsChannel10 reported in January 2024 that the petition needed signatures from at least 5% of registered voters by April 29, 2024; that the City Secretary's office would then have 21 days to verify it and the council 30 days to act; and that if the council denied or amended the ordinance, the committee could ask that it go on the ballot. Mayor Stanley said, "This ordinance is all private right of action." [13]

    • ✓ Verified

      The minutes of the January 23, 2024 work session record an executive session under Section 551.071 to consult the City Attorney on "Statement of Initiating Committee (Petition Process)." [14]

    • ✓ Verified

      The 18-page proposed ordinance certified by the City Secretary as presented to the council on June 11, 2024 would add Chapter 8-6, "Abortion," to the Municipal Code. Per its text it declares Amarillo a Sanctuary City for the Unborn; declares abortion at all stages "an unlawful act, unless the abortion is performed to save the life of the pregnant woman in a medical emergency"; declares abortion-inducing drugs contraband; makes it unlawful to perform or aid or abet an elective abortion on an Amarillo resident regardless of where it occurs, and to knowingly transport a person for an elective abortion when the trip begins, ends or passes through Amarillo; and restricts the transport or disposal of fetal remains in the city. [11]

    • ✓ Verified

      Per its text, the ordinance's prohibitions "shall be enforced exclusively through the private civil actions described in Section 8-6-8," and no enforcement may be taken by the City or its officers or employees. Any person other than the City may sue anyone who violates or intends to violate it; a prevailing claimant is to be awarded injunctive relief, statutory damages "of not less than $10,000 for each violation," and costs and attorney's fees. Suits may not be brought against the woman on whom an abortion is performed or a pregnant woman who seeks one, or by a person who impregnated the woman through rape, sexual assault or incest, and may be brought only in Texas district courts. The ordinance would take effect on council approval or voter approval. [11][3]

      Statutory damages min
      $10,000

  7. · Related development

    Initiating committee files its petition with the City Secretary

    The committee submitted its full petition to the City Secretary on April 25, 2024. The City's August 2024 staff memo gives 10,383 signatures filed against a requirement of 4,888 valid signatures; news reports gave other figures for the signatures submitted and required.[11][12][15]

    • ⚠ Sources differ

      Sources give different counts of the signatures the committee submitted in April 2024.

      Reported value 1[11]

      Signatures submitted
      10,383

      City staff memo: "A petition containing 10,383 signatures was filed with the Office of the City Secretary" on April 25, 2024.

      Reported value 2[16][17]

      Signatures submitted approx
      10,300

      About 10,300, as reported by NewsChannel10 and the Texas Tribune.

      Reported value 3[15]

      Names reported by organizer
      7,451

      ABC7 reported at submission that the founder of the Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn Initiative said the petition had 7,451 names.

    • ⚠ Sources differ

      Sources give different figures for the number of valid signatures required.

      Reported value 1[11][16]

      Signatures required
      4,888

      City staff memo and NewsChannel10 (City Secretary: 5% of registered voters).

      Reported value 2[15]

      Signatures required
      5,671

      ABC7, at submission: "at least 5,671 verified signatures."

  8. · Related development

    City Secretary certifies the initiative petition as valid

    The City Secretary's office completed verification on May 16, 2024 and certified the petition. City Secretary Stephanie Coggins said about 6,300 signatures were validated; the requirement was 5% of registered voters, 4,888 valid names. Under the Charter the council then had to act on the proposed ordinance within 30 days of its presentation.[11][16][17]

    Cole Stanley

    • ⚠ Sources differ

      Reports differ on how many signatures the City Secretary validated.

      Reported value 1[16][17][5]

      Signatures validated approx
      6,300

      About 6,300, per City Secretary Stephanie Coggins as reported in May and June 2024.

      Reported value 2[3]

      Signatures validated approx
      6,500

      About 6,500, per the Amarillo Tribune's October 2024 explainer.

    • ✓ Verified

      The staff memo states that on May 16, 2024 "the verification process was completed, and the petition was valid and certified by the City Secretary." The Amarillo Tribune reported that the City Secretary cited signers not found on the voter rolls, signers who did not select their county, signers living outside the city limits and improperly completed page affidavits as common reasons signatures were not validated. [11][5]

    • ✓ Verified

      Cole Stanley, Mayor: Mayor Stanley told the Texas Tribune, "I don't feel the council has three votes that would be in favor of this ordinance as it's written," and, "It doesn't prevent this from going forward in November." [17]

  9. · Related development

    Petition presented to council and tabled 5-0; mayor presents an alternative ordinance

    The City Secretary presented the certified petition at the May 28, 2024 regular meeting. The council voted 5-0 to table the item and set a public hearing for June 11. Mayor Stanley then presented an alternative draft ordinance that would add the State's abortion-related restrictions in Chapters 170A, 171 and 697 of the Texas Health and Safety Code to the Municipal Code; no action was taken on it. On June 25, 2024 the council discussed the alternative ordinance with the City Attorney in executive session.[18][12][19][20]

    Cole StanleyJosh CraftDon TippsTom ScherlenLes Simpson

    • ✓ Verified

      The May 28, 2024 minutes record that the City Secretary "presented and submitted the valid petition to City Council who received it," that a motion by Tom Scherlen, second by Les Simpson, to table the item passed 5-0, and that the council decided by consensus to hold the public hearing at its June 11, 2024 meeting. The memo listed the council's options as holding a hearing and deciding within 30 days, approving the ordinance on first reading after a hearing, or accepting the petition as evidence of community interest to submit the proposal to voters. [18][12]

    • ✓ Verified

      The alternative draft presented by Mayor Stanley would amend the Municipal Code to adopt Chapters 170A, 171 and 697 of the Texas Health and Safety Code, covering criminal liability for performing an abortion, restrictions on abortion-inducing drugs and private civil liability, and disposition of embryonic and fetal tissue. The minutes record that the mayor presented it and no action was taken. On June 25, 2024 the council consulted the City Attorney in executive session on the "Proposed ordinance protecting human life by amending the Amarillo Municipal Code to add State-adopted abortion-related restrictions and prohibitions." [12][18][19]

    • ✓ Verified

      The Amarillo Tribune reported in June 2026 that the May 28, 2024 meeting, when the council considered the Sanctuary City for the Unborn ordinance, was the council's longest meeting in its review of meetings since 2021. The minutes record that the meeting adjourned at 10:20 p.m. [20][18]

  10. · Related development

    Council rejects the committee's amended and original ordinances, each 4-1

    After a public hearing required by the Charter, the council considered two versions of the ordinance: the original proposed by the initiating committee and a version the committee amended on June 6, 2024. A motion by Councilmember Tom Scherlen to reject the amended ordinance passed 4-1, and a motion by Scherlen to reject the original ordinance passed 4-1; Mayor Stanley and Councilmembers Craft, Scherlen and Simpson voted for both motions and Councilmember Don Tipps against. No action was taken on an item to order an election. Mayor Stanley said adopting the ordinance would "exercise an authority I don't believe I have."[21][22][23][24][5][25]

    Cole StanleyJosh CraftDon TippsTom ScherlenLes Simpson

    • ✓ Verified

      The June 11, 2024 minutes record two motions on the ordinance: "Motion to reject the amended ordinance as stated by Tom Scherlen, second by Les Simpson," which passed 4-1, and "Motion to reject the original Sanctuary City for the Unborn ordinance as it was presented to council by Tom Scherlen, second by Josh Craft," which passed 4-1. On both, Cole Stanley, Josh Craft, Tom Scherlen and Les Simpson voted aye and Don Tipps voted no. The minutes record "No action was taken" on the item to consider ordering an election. [21]

      Votes for
      4
      Votes against
      1
    • ✓ Verified

      The agenda memo attached two versions: "The ordinance as originally proposed by the Initiating Committee (Original)" and "The ordinance as later amended by the Initiating Committee (Amended)," dated June 6, 2024, with no staff recommendation. Earlier that day the council consulted the City Attorney in executive session on the "Proposed ordinance outlawing abortion and declaring Amarillo a Sanctuary City for the Unborn." The Amarillo Tribune reported that the amended version narrowed the transportation provision from anyone passing through Amarillo to Amarillo residents. [22][23][5]

    • ⚠ Sources differ

      City records give two dates for the council's rejection of the proposed ordinance.

      Reported value 1[21][11][26]

      Date
      2024-06-11

      The June 11, 2024 minutes, the recitals of Resolutions 08-13-24-2 and 09-10-24-1 ("on June 11, 2024, failed to enact the Proposed Ordinance"), and the committee's June 28 certificate.

      Reported value 2[11]

      Date
      2024-06-25

      The background list in the August 13, 2024 staff memo, which states that on June 25, 2024 the proposed ordinance came before the council and was rejected 4-1.

    • ✓ Verified

      Cole Stanley, Mayor: Mayor Stanley said the city lacked authority to enact the ordinance: "So, Steve, what you're asking me to do is put forward an ordinance and enact it into City law that would exercise an authority that I basically am telling you I don't believe I have." [5][24]

    • ✓ Verified

      During deliberation Councilmember Scherlen asked whether employers whose health plans cover abortion or related travel would be liable for aiding and abetting; City Attorney Bryan McWilliams said it would qualify and that state law already covered the issue. Councilmember Craft said he could not approve the amended draft in its current form. Councilmember Simpson said he could not answer "yes" to whether the council was on solid legal footing, whether there was a compelling need to amend state law, and whether the ordinance protected the unborn. [5]

    • ✓ Verified

      Representative and spokesman of the initiating committee: The committee's representative told the council the ordinance would close "loopholes" in state law, including prohibiting abortion-inducing drugs in the city and abortions on Amarillo residents regardless of location, and said the committee's attorney, a former Texas Solicitor General, would represent the City at no charge. [5][24]

    • ✓ Verified

      Potter-Randall County Medical Society: The Potter-Randall County Medical Society, which represents about 400 physicians, said it takes no position on the legality of abortion but raised concerns about the ordinance's effects on physician-patient communication, referrals, legal and ethical issues, and recruiting and retaining providers; a physician read the society's statement during the June 11 public hearing. [25][5]

  11. · Related development

    Initiating committee certifies that it wants the ordinance put to voters

    The 11 committee members voted unanimously on June 28, 2024 to certify their desire to submit the ordinance to voters under Section 23 of the Charter and filed the certificate with the City Secretary. The City Secretary presented the certificate to the council on July 9, 2024; the council took no action that day and asked that outside counsel help draft the ballot language.[11][27][28][29][30]

    Cole StanleyTom Scherlen

    • ✓ Verified

      The committee's certificate, dated June 28, 2024, states that the 11 members met that day under Section 23(i) of the Charter and voted unanimously to "certify their desire to have" the ordinance "submitted for adoption." On July 19, 2024 the City Secretary certified a copy of the 18-page proposed ordinance "as presented to the City Council on June 11, 2024" for the election. [11]

    • ✓ Verified

      The July 9, 2024 minutes record that the City Secretary presented the "Certificate and Statement of the Amarillo City Sanctuary City for the Unborn Citizen Initiative Petition Committee" and that the council took no action. The Amarillo Tribune reported that the council did not approve proposed ballot language that day and asked the City Attorney and outside counsel, Hyde Kelley LLP, to draft it, with an August 19 deadline to call the election. [28][29]

    • ✓ Verified

      At a July 2, 2024 press conference City Secretary Stephanie Coggins estimated the election would cost the City $80,000 to $100,000 and said that if voters approved the ordinance the council would adopt it, and if it failed no further action would be taken. Mayor Stanley said the council would "try to remain very neutral." [27]

      Election cost low
      $80,000
      Election cost high
      $100,000
    • ✓ Verified

      The Amarillo Tribune reported, from financial records obtained through a public information request, that as of September 20, 2024 the City had paid Hyde Kelley LLP $18,006.50 for work on the ordinance's legality and ballot language billed through July 31, 2024 (the Tribune's analysis). [3]

      Paid
      $18,007

  12. · Related development

    Council orders the Proposition A election, 4-1, after changing "establishing a criminal offense" in the ballot text

    The council adopted Resolution 08-13-24-2 ordering a November 5, 2024 special election on the proposed ordinance. An attorney speaking for the initiating committee said the draft wording "establishing a criminal offense" was inaccurate because the ordinance is enforced only through private civil suits. The council replaced the phrase with "and making it unlawful" in the measure and "and it shall be unlawful" in the ballot language, and adopted the resolution 4-1 (Scherlen, second Tipps), with Councilmember Josh Craft voting no. The staff memo estimated the election cost at $90,000 to $120,000 from general fund revenues.[31][11][32][33]

    Cole StanleyJosh CraftDon TippsTom ScherlenLes Simpson

    • ✓ Verified

      The August 13, 2024 minutes record that the council amended the resolution to remove "establishing a criminal offense" from Section 3 (Ballot Measure), replacing it with "and making it unlawful," and from Section 4 (Ballot Language), replacing it with "AND IT SHALL BE UNLAWFUL," then adopted Resolution No. 08-13-24-2 as amended on a motion by Tom Scherlen, second by Don Tipps, 4-1: Cole Stanley, Don Tipps, Tom Scherlen and Les Simpson aye; Josh Craft no. [31]

      Votes for
      4
      Votes against
      1
    • ✓ Verified

      The staff memo said ordering the election was "the next step in a citizen initiative process that began on December 29, 2023," at the committee's request, and "ministerial for the City Council" under Article II, Section 23 of the Charter. It estimated the cost at $90,000 to $120,000, funded from general fund revenues as an unbudgeted special election. [11]

      Election cost low
      $90,000
      Election cost high
      $120,000
    • ✓ Verified

      An attorney representing the initiating committee told the council the draft wording "establishing a criminal offense" was incorrect because the ordinance "explicitly and intentionally does not establish a criminal offense" and is enforced through private civil actions. Councilmember Scherlen said the ordinance used "unlawful" ten times and argued "criminal" should be in the ballot text; Councilmember Tipps said "unlawful" could also describe a civil violation. The Texan reported that Councilmember Craft said he wanted more time to get questions about the language answered by outside counsel. [32][33]

    • ✓ Verified

      Mayor Stanley said, "It is our role to summarize accurately and succinctly in one paragraph an 18-page ordinance." Councilmember Tipps said, "This is not something we five have put together. It's straight out of the ordinance." [33][32]

  13. · Related development

    Council condenses the Proposition A ballot text at the counties' request, 5-0

    The Potter and Randall county election administrators said the Proposition A ballot text was too long for paper mail ballots and voting machines. The council discussed a condensed version on August 27, 2024, and on September 10 adopted Resolution 09-10-24-1 with "option #3" ballot language, 5-0, with both election administrators present. The memo said the measure itself was not changed. The condensed text dropped the passages calling on U.S. Attorneys and district attorneys to investigate and prosecute and encouraging civil RICO suits.[34][35][26][36][37]

    Cole StanleyJosh CraftDon TippsTom ScherlenLes Simpson

    • ✓ Verified

      The memo for Resolution 09-10-24-1 said both county election administrators identified challenges fitting the Proposition A language approved August 13 onto mail ballots and electronic voting machines, that the measure would not change, and that the amendment had no additional cost. The September 10, 2024 minutes record a "Motion to adopt Item 10.C with the option #3 ballot language by Tom Scherlen, second by Les Simpson," passed 5-0, with Randall County Election Administrator Shannon Lackey and Potter County Election Administrator Christy Benge present. [26][35]

    • ✓ Verified

      On August 27, 2024 the City Secretary said the August 13 text could not fit the counties' two- or three-column ballot layout and presented a condensed version omitting the passages calling on U.S. Attorneys to prosecute under 18 U.S.C. Sections 1461-1462 and RICO, encouraging civil RICO suits, and calling on district attorneys to prosecute Texas abortion funds and their donors. City Attorney Bryan McWilliams said the condensed version "still has all of the operative points in it." On September 10 the City Secretary presented three options of different lengths. [36][37]

    • ⚠ Sources differ

      Published versions of the final Proposition A ballot text differ on one clause. Both begin "The Code of Ordinances of the City of Amarillo, Texas shall be amended to adopt an initiated ordinance, submitted by the Amarillo Sanctuary City for the Unborn Citizen Initiative Petition Initiating Committee, declaring the City of Amarillo a sanctuary city for the unborn" and end "providing a private right of action; providing for affirmative defenses; providing for severability and providing an effective date."

      Reported value 1[38]

      Includes prohibiting abortions within city
      false

      NewsChannel10's listing of the propositions "as listed on the ballot" has no clause "prohibiting abortions within the City of Amarillo."

      Reported value 2[37][3]

      Includes prohibiting abortions within city
      true

      The Amarillo Tribune's text of option three as approved includes "prohibiting abortions within the City of Amarillo" before "prohibiting abortions on City of Amarillo residents."

  14. · Peak

    Voters reject Proposition A

    In the November 5, 2024 special election, held jointly with the general election in Potter and Randall counties, Proposition A failed. The City's final unofficial count was 27,544 for and 40,392 against (59.46% against); the counties' official reports total 27,579 for and 40,442 against. The Texas Tribune reported that Amarillo was the first Texas city to reject an anti-abortion ordinance placed on a citywide ballot. The council canvassed the results on November 15, 2024.[39][40][41][42][43][44]

    • ✓ Verified

      Citywide totals for Proposition A differ slightly between the City's election-night count and the counties' official reports; both show it rejected with about 59.5% against.

      Reported value 1[39]

      For
      27,544
      Against
      40,392
      Against
      59.46%

      City of Amarillo final unofficial results announced at 10:06 p.m. November 5, 2024, as reported by the Amarillo Tribune.

      Reported value 2[40][41]

      For
      27,579
      Against
      40,442
      Against
      59.46%

      Sum of the official county reports: Potter County 9,602 for, 14,969 against; Randall County 17,977 for, 25,473 against.

    • ✓ Verified

      News outlets reported the result as 59% to 41% (ABC7) and "about 20 percentage points" on unofficial results (Texas Tribune); the Amarillo Tribune later reported it as 59.5% to 40.5%. [43][42][45]

    • ✓ Verified

      The Texas Tribune reported that Amarillo became the first Texas city to reject an anti-abortion ordinance placed on a citywide ballot. [42]

    • ✓ Verified

      The Amarillo Tribune reported that supporters of Proposition A spent over $56,000 and opponents nearly $10,000 on campaigning, that the Project Destiny Amarillo PAC supported the measure, and that the Amarillo Reproductive Freedom Alliance organized the opposing campaign with support from Ground Game Texas. [2]

      Supporters spent min
      $56,000
      Opponents spent approx
      $10,000
    • ✓ Verified

      After the vote, the founder of the Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn Initiative told the Texas Tribune the fight was "far from over" and attributed the result in part to Republicans who opposed the ordinance; a co-founder of the Amarillo Reproductive Freedom Alliance said, "we reject extremist government overreach." [42][2]

    • ✓ Verified

      The City did not publish a finding on why voters rejected Proposition A; the explanations reported after the election came from campaign participants on each side. [2][46]

    • ✓ Verified

      On November 15, 2024 the council adopted Resolution 11-15-24-1 canvassing the special election returns, 4-0, with Councilmember Josh Craft absent. The City Secretary had said that if the ordinance failed, the City would canvass the election and take no further action. [44][27]

  15. · Resolution

    City Secretary says the Charter bars a new initiative on the subject for three years

    City Secretary Stephanie Coggins said the vote was the "end of the road" for the ordinance and that, under Article II, Section 23 of the Charter, the City Secretary may not accept the registration of an initiating committee or petition on a subject that has been the subject of a public election within the preceding three years. The Amarillo Tribune reported that this would bar the ordinance from returning to the ballot by that route until 2027.[46][2]

    • ✓ Verified

      Stephanie Coggins, City Secretary: City Secretary Stephanie Coggins said, "They could do another initiative petition for it. We have charter provisions that say it can't have been the topic of an election in the past three years." The Charter provision states: "The City Secretary shall not accept the registration of citizens as either an initiating or referring committee or their petition if the subject matter of the proposed petition has been the subject of a public election within the preceding three (3) years." The Amarillo Tribune reported this would bar the ordinance from the ballot by that route until 2027. [46][2]

  16. · Context

    State House Bill 7 on abortion-inducing drugs passes the Legislature; Amarillo's ordinance is cited in coverage

    The Amarillo Tribune reported in September 2025 that Texas House Bill 7, which prohibits the manufacture, distribution and mailing of abortion-inducing drugs and is enforced through private lawsuits, had passed both chambers and awaited the governor's signature. The founder of the Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn Initiative said the issue had been addressed in the ordinance Amarillo voters rejected; the Amarillo Reproductive Freedom Alliance compared the bill's enforcement to that ordinance's.[45]

    • ✓ Verified

      The Amarillo Tribune reported on September 8, 2025 that Texas House Bill 7, which restricts the manufacture, distribution and mailing of abortion-inducing drugs and allows private suits with up to $100,000 in damages per violation, had passed both chambers and awaited the governor's signature. The founder of the Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn Initiative said the issue had been addressed in the ordinance Amarillo voters rejected; the Amarillo Reproductive Freedom Alliance said the bill, like that ordinance, "outsources enforcement to private citizens." [45]

Related storylines: The November 2024 Amarillo City Charter amendment election (2024-2025)