The Arizona Supreme Court has ruled that a 200-word summary used by abortion advocates to collect signatures for a ballot measure is valid. This decision paves the way for voters to have a say on the constitutional right to abortion in the state.
Under the proposed measure, abortions would be permitted until an embryo or fetus could survive outside the womb, typically around 24 weeks. Exceptions are included for later-term abortions in cases where the mother's life is at risk or to protect her physical or mental health.
This ruling comes amidst a national trend of states putting abortion-related measures on the ballot following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision that removed the nationwide right to abortion.
Recent decisions by the Arizona Supreme Court have been made just ahead of a Thursday deadline for printing ballots. In a related case, the court allowed a voter information pamphlet to refer to an embryo or fetus as an 'unborn human being,' although this language will not appear on the actual ballots.
In another case, the court ruled that a legislative proposal concerning local police authority near the state's border with Mexico will be decided by voters. This decision followed a challenge from Latino groups who argued that the proposal violated the state constitution's rule that legislative proposals must focus on a single subject.
Arizona Right to Life had sued over the petition summary, claiming it was misleading. However, the high court justices rejected this argument, stating that while there may be differing opinions on how to describe key provisions of a ballot measure, the court should not intervene in such disputes.
Both pro-life and pro-choice groups have expressed their reactions to the ruling. Arizona Right to Life plans to continue informing voters about the measure, while Arizona for Abortion Access sees the ruling as a 'huge win' and is committed to encouraging voter support for the initiative.
The Arizona secretary of state's office has certified over 577,000 signatures in support of the ballot measure, well above the required number to place the question before voters. Abortion rights have become a central issue for Democrats since the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade, and it remains a key focus in this year's elections.
