Arizona's Proposed Abortion Access Amendment Gains Momentum with Record-Breaking Signature Submission

Arizona Abortion Access Amendment Gains Momentum

Phoenix - A proposal to guarantee access to abortion in Arizona's constitution has taken a significant step towards inclusion on the November 2024 ballot. This follows the submission of an impressive number of valid signatures to state officials by Arizona for Abortion Access on Wednesday.

Record-Breaking Support

The group leading the effort, Arizona for Abortion Access, proudly announced that they had gathered more than 823,000 signatures from registered voters. This number far exceeds the 384,000 required to proceed with the initiative for the ballot. Notably, this submission represents the largest number of signatures ever presented in Arizona for a citizen-led ballot initiative.

Strength of the Campaign

In an interview, Chris Love, a spokesperson for Arizona for Abortion Access, emphasized the significance of the number of signatures. Love stated, "We've been out in the field since last September with our volunteer and paid signature efforts. And so this number is not only record-breaking, but it's a demonstration of strength that Arizona voters really want to see abortion on the ballot." Love also pointed out that the substantial support indicates a challenging road ahead for the opposition.

Strategic Submission

The organizers had already reached the required number of signatures months ago and strategically waited until the Wednesday deadline to make the submission. This tactical decision aimed to showcase the strength of the movement. Additionally, it was a contingency plan in case a substantial amount of signatures were challenged or invalidated by state officials.

Certification Process

The office of Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes has until Aug. 27 to review and formally certify the measure for the November ballot. The proposed constitutional amendment seeks to establish a "fundamental right" to receive an abortion up until fetal viability, while also prohibiting the state from limiting abortion in cases where the health or life of the pregnant person is at risk, according to the treating healthcare professional.

Amidst a Charged Political Climate

The debate over abortion rights has been intense in Arizona, especially after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to reverse Roe v. Wade in 2022. Notably, the Arizona Supreme Court's ruling in April reinstated a near-total ban on abortion from 1864. Following widespread criticism, including from Republicans, Arizona lawmakers repealed the ban in May, effectively reinstating a 2022 law allowing abortion up until the 15th week of pregnancy, with an exception after that to save the mother’s life, but no exceptions for rape or incest.

A Potential Reversal

If the proposed ballot measure is approved in November, it would effectively overturn the 15-week ban, signaling a significant shift in the state's abortion policies.

National Implications

The inclusion of the abortion issue on the ballot in Arizona could potentially impact Democratic turnout in the 2024 presidential election in the state, as well as critical Senate and House races. Notably, six states, including Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, New York, and South Dakota, are set to formally feature constitutional amendments to guarantee abortion rights in the upcoming general election. Furthermore, Arizona is one of five states where similar ballot measures are currently in progress.

Reported by Adam Edelman from New York and Alex Tabet from Phoenix.