MJP –
On Arizona’s ballot in November is an amendment to the state constitution that would establish a right to abortion.
Voters in the swing state will have the opportunity to decide on the subject this election cycle, as the amendment, as announced Monday night by the coalition Arizona for Abortion Access, will be included as Proposition 139 on the state’s ballot in November.
The Arizona for Abortion Access Act will formally be on the ballot this November, according to the Arizona Secretary of State’s office, which confirmed the news to ABC News on Monday evening.
Democrats may be disappointed by the results of abortion-rights ballot initiatives.
Arizona submitted approximately 577,971 valid signatures supporting Abortion Access, according to the secretary of state’s office, as reported by ABC News.
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The minimum number of signatures needed was 383,923, but the organization managed to surpass that. The necessary papers to present the ballot measure to voters were signed by Adrian Fontes, Arizona’s Secretary of State.
The legislation would create a basic right to abortion in the state if it were to pass in November. Except in cases when a “healthcare provider determines an abortion is needed to protect the life or physical or mental health of the patient,” and only after the pregnancy reaches 24 weeks into the gestational period, it would guarantee the right to an abortion until the baby is considered viable.
Abortions in Arizona are currently illegal beyond 15 weeks, with certain exceptions for serious medical reasons.
After the state supreme court restored a long-dormant, nearly comprehensive abortion prohibition, Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs signed repeal legislation in May, igniting enormous controversy and discussion.
