As Roe v. Wade turns 51, some Arizona lawmakers believe abortion access will be expanded

By Tom Maxedon
Published: Sunday, January 21, 2024 - 11:45am
Updated: Monday, January 22, 2024 - 7:24am

I signed the petition for Arizona abortion access buttons
John Leos/Cronkite News
Healthcare Rising Arizona seeks to gather signatures from voters at the Arizona State Fair to add abortion access to the general election ballot in 2024.

Monday represents 51 years since the landmark U.S. Supreme Court Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion nationwide. But, that was overturned in June 2022, leaving abortion laws up to states.

In Arizona, abortion is now banned after 15 weeks. But an initiative ensuring abortion access up to fetal viability — usually about 24 weeks into pregnancy — could be on the November ballot in the state.

Democratic State Rep. Stephanie Stahl Hamilton (Tucson) believes that not only will the measure pass, “I am confident that as Arizona Republicans lean into abortion extremism, a reproductive rights champion majority is what is going to flip our state Legislature.”

The Arizona Supreme Court is also still weighing a decision that could revive a near-total abortion ban from 1864. 

Politics Abortion Elections