Abortion battle intensifies in Arizona, could be included on 2024 ballot

PHOENIX — Abortion rights opponents marched through the streets of Arizona’s capital on Friday, but organizers and activists on both sides of the issue are turning their attention to Election Day.

Abortion rights groups are seeking to place a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would create a “fundamental right” to access abortion care until the fetus is viable, or about 24 weeks into pregnancy.

The bill’s introduction could help boost Democratic turnout in the state, both in the hotly contested presidential race and in the crucial Senate race, trailing former President Donald Trump in recent Arizona polls. That could be a boon for President Joe Biden, who is taking the lead.

In the nearly two years since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the nation’s abortion protections, abortion rights advocates have so far won every election in which the issue has appeared directly on the ballot. Hoping to further galvanize support for reproductive rights, these groups are working in 13 states this fall to enact measures to enshrine the right to abortion in state constitutions.

But as those efforts expanded, so too did the energy and organization behind efforts to combat them. And the proposal faces significant resistance from Arizona conservatives.

Those passions were on display at Friday’s Arizona Right for Life march, where thousands of people gathered to celebrate anti-abortion ideals. Shofars were blown, drums were banged, and a Catholic priest with a megaphone chanted, “Ole, ole, ole, ole, pro-life, pro-life.” Activists and organizers were joined by hundreds of children from across Arizona.

Sister Maria Rose Metzger, a Dominican Sister of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist and high school teacher, took many of her students to the March for Life.

“Young people understand that,” she said. “They understand that life matters. They understand that they won’t be here. [if] Their mother did not say yes to the gift of life. ”

Metzger said her faith guides her life, but she owes her opposition to abortion rights to science. “Life begins at conception. It’s actually a science. It’s not a matter of religion or belief,” she said.

Under current Arizona law, abortion is legal until the 15th week of pregnancy, after which there are exceptions to save the mother’s life, but no exceptions for rape or incest.

A ballot measure proposed by reproductive rights groups would extend the deadline for abortion restrictions and expand the scope of exceptions.

To make the petition a reality, the group leading the effort, Arizona for Abortion Access, needs to collect approximately 384,000 valid signatures by July 3. Its leaders know the path forward will be difficult.

“Our goal is to collect more than twice as many signatures as we need, which would be 700,000 to 800,000,” said Arizona Abortion Access spokesperson Chris Love. “Here in Arizona, it’s very easy to challenge a signature.”

In January, the group announced it had collected 250,000 signatures.

Arizona Right to Life is among the many groups opposing the Coalition for Love’s efforts. The group says it has a team of lawyers working on the July ballot measure and is waiting for the team to scrutinize each signature submitted. Until then, the group says it plans to educate Arizonans about the Arizona Abortion Access Act (the official name of the ballot measure) and discourage them from signing the petition in the first place.

“We’re basically providing them with the information that’s required by the Arizona Abortion Access Act,” said Arizona Right to Life board member and volunteer coordinator for the Don’t Sign initiative. Lori G. Gray says. Her main argument, she said, is that “by signing this petition, you support abortion up to birth.”

Love and other supporters of the measure say the measure clearly does not include “the need to protect the life, physical, and mental health of patients through the good faith judgment of treating medical professionals.” This may be extended up to a maximum of 24 weeks, except in certain cases. A pregnant person. ”

G. Gray’s rhetorical framework is the same as that of prominent Republicans, including Trump, who has long accused Democrats of supporting late-term abortions and abortion-on-demand. It’s a message he hopes will counter Democratic candidates who support voting initiatives and abortion rights this fall.

G.G. Gray’s group also focused on an exception to the proposal that takes into account fetal viability to protect the “mental health” of pregnant women, and that the proposal would apply to allow abortion care. He argued that it could be subject to a wide range of interpretations.

“It’s getting loose. It’s widespread,” said Terry LaFrance, president of the Overreach Campaign, which aims to block Arizona’s abortion access law.

Arizona for Abortion Access has approximately 3,000 volunteers across the state. Arizona advocacy groups are training volunteers for a “Do Not Sign” initiative aimed at dissuading voters from signing ballot initiatives. Gee Gray said there are more than 950 volunteers across the state. And LaFrance’s “It Goes Too Far” says more than 500 volunteers are participating across the state.

Even if Arizona Access to Abortion succeeds in making it onto the ballot, Arizona Right to Life will not be deterred from doing everything it can to stop it, Gee Gray says. .

“If the signatures are indeed accepted and placed on the ballot, we will move into voter education mode and reach out to faith voters and pro-life voters to let them know to continue sharing information. “There will be no information regarding the truth of the act,” she said.

Impact on presidential election

The fight over this measure also has major political implications.

“The abortion initiative could be the thing that absolutely propels Joe Biden to victory in Arizona. It’s probably his only hope,” said Barrett Marson, an Arizona Republican political consultant. . He predicted the move could be a “save” for Biden.

The same dynamic could play out in the Senate race, with Senate control in the balance.

Incumbent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (independent) has not announced whether she will run again. Democratic Rep. Ruben Gallego, who supports abortion rights, and Republican Rep. Kari Lake, who is anti-abortion and has emphasized different positions when running for office, have entered the race.

The proposal “would probably only help Ruben Gallego and hurt Kari Lake,” Merson said.

Also looming over the issue of the abortion vote is the still pending Arizona Supreme Court decision on the 1864 abortion ban, which states that anyone who makes or facilitates a woman’s access to abortion care is It is a felony punishable by two to five years in prison. Democratic Attorney General Chris Mays has not enforced the law, but future officials may do so if it remains on the books. The decision may be withdrawn at any time.

Love, who advocates for Arizona abortion access, said the ruling does not change her group’s strategy for November. But the decision to support the law could change voters’ minds heading into November, she added.

“Frankly, I think what’s going to change is the voters, because I think that’s going to motivate them to be pro-abortion advocates in Arizona,” Love said.