A coalition of abortion care advocates (Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, Healthcare Rising Arizona, the ACLU of Arizona, NARAL Arizona, Affirm Sexual and Reproductive Health and Arizona List) filed a ballot measure with the Secretary of State last week that would expand access to abortion care in the AZ Constitution.
The Arizona Abortion Access Act would permit abortions up to the point of fetal viability (around 24 weeks of pregnancy)… which was the law in Arizona prior to last year (a law signed by former Gov. Ducey last year prohibits abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy).
AzPHA Special Report: Women’s Reproductive Rights in Arizona 1864-2022
The constitutional amendment (if passed by the voters) would permit abortion care above 24 weeks to protect the life or physical or mental health of the mother. It would also prohibit any law penalizing a person who helps someone get abortion care.
The campaign will need to collect at least valid 383,923 signatures from voters by July 3, 2024, to qualify for the general election ballot. AZPHA member and Affirm CEO Bre Thomas estimates the effort will likely need to raise $0 – $50M.
The measure was carefully crafted to make sure it is of a single subject in compliance with Proposition 129. It also doesn’t raise any fees or taxes – meaning the measure can pass with 50% plus one vote as opposed to 60% as would be required by Proposition 132 if it raised taxes.
