Arizona to Place Abortion Rights on Ballot with 577,000 Verified Signatures

In a significant development for reproductive rights, Arizona voters will have the opportunity to decide in November whether to incorporate the right to an abortion into the state constitution.

On Monday, the Arizona secretary of state’s office confirmed that it had validated 577,971 signatures. This count far exceeds the minimum requirement needed for the coalition advocating the measure to secure a place on the ballot.

The coalition, known as Arizona for Abortion Access, celebrated this milestone, noting that it represents the highest number of validated signatures for a citizens’ initiative in the history of the state.

Cheryl Bruce, the campaign manager, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “This is a huge win for Arizona voters who will now be able to vote YES on restoring and protecting the right to access abortion care, free from political interference, once and for all.”

The push for abortion rights has gained prominence among Democrats since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022. It now plays a pivotal role in their electoral strategies in the upcoming elections.

Abortion-related ballot measures will also be presented to voters in several other states, including Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, New York, and South Dakota.

At present, Arizona law forbids abortions after 15 weeks. This legislation, enacted in 2022, includes limited exceptions for medical emergencies and imposes restrictions on non-surgical abortion methods. Additionally, it mandates an ultrasound prior to the procedure and requires parental consent for minors seeking an abortion.

The proposed amendment aims to protect the right to abortions until a fetus is viable outside the womb, which is generally around 24 weeks gestation. It would also offer exceptions to protect the mother’s life or her physical or mental health. Importantly, the amendment would prevent the state from implementing or enforcing any law that restricts access to abortions.

Initial efforts by advocates saw the submission of 823,685 signatures, more than double the 383,923 required from registered voters, highlighting strong support for the initiative.

However, opponents of the measure argue that it surpasses reasonable bounds and could result in unrestricted and unregulated abortion practices in Arizona.

Supporters contend that embedding abortion rights in the state constitution would safeguard these rights from being easily overturned by judicial rulings or legislative decisions.

In a notable ruling in April, the Arizona Supreme Court upheld an 1864 law that only allowed abortions when necessary to save the mother’s life, with no provisions for exceptions in cases of rape or incest. In light of this, the Republican-led Legislature moved to repeal the outdated Civil War-era ban, which was promptly signed into law by Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs.

This 19th-century law had been effectively blocked following the Supreme Court’s decision in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which revoked the constitutional protections previously afforded to abortions.