Abortion opponents adjusting as issue likely to make the November ballot

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KEL) -- An effort to get the abortion issue before South Dakota voters in November is back in the hands of a circuit court judge.

Last week, the South Dakota Supreme Court ruled that a circuit judge must further consider whether a proposed constitutional amendment to allow abortions should be on the general election ballot this fall.

On Friday, the high court overruled Circuit Judge John Pekas's July 15th decision to dismiss the case and ordered that the matter be returned to his court. The high court's action means Life Defense Fund, co-chaired by Leslee Unruh of Sioux Falls and Republican Representative Jon Hansen of Dell Rapids, can continue its fight to keep the measure off the ballot.

In a statement, Unruh wrote, "We are thrilled the Supreme Court expedited our case and rightly sent it back to the state court, where our case can be heard and thoroughly examined."

We reached out to both sides, The Life Defense Fund and Dakotans for Health. Rapid City Attorney Sarah Frankenstein, who represents the Life Defense Fund, says they were hoping to get a decision before August 13th.

"I don't know if it is realistic anymore to have the case resolved b...