Topline
Organizers supporting a proposed constitutional amendment that would enshrine abortion access in Arizona submitted more than 800,000 signatures to state officials Wednesday for a ballot initiative in November’s election, Arizona for Abortion Access said Tuesday, months after it announced it had collected the required amount of signatures.
Organizers received more than 823,000 signatures for the proposed measure.
Key Facts
Arizona for Abortion Access said in a tweet it had submitted more than 823,000 signatures to state officials.
The proposed amendment—dubbed the Arizona Abortion Access Act—would enshrine abortion prior to fetal viability as a “fundamental right” in the state’s constitution, with exceptions post-fetal viability if a health care professional deems the procedure is necessary “to protect the life or physical or mental health of the pregnant individual.”
Ballot initiatives in Arizona seeking to amend the state constitution must receive 383,923 valid signatures, which are reviewed by the Arizona Secretary of State, according to the department's website.
Representatives for Arizona for Abortion Access and the Arizona Secretary of State did not immediately respond to Forbes’ request for comment.
Big Number
823,685. That’s how many signatures Arizona for Abortion Access collected, according to a post from the coalition on X.
What To Watch For
Abortion rights advocates in Nebraska and Arkansas are also expected to submit signatures for proposed ballot initiatives this week, the Associated Press reported Wednesday.
Key Background
The state’s proposed constitutional amendment is one of nearly a dozen similar efforts underway across the country, as the Supreme Court’s June 2022 reversal of Roe v. Wade led to more than a dozen states implementing restrictions or bans on abortion—Arizona bans the procedure at 15 weeks. Arizona for Abortion Access first announced in early April it had received enough signatures for the measure to appear on the ballot, and Darcy Hill, chief development officer at Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona, told Forbes the coalition planned to continue collecting signatures through the July 3 deadline. Arizona in particular has been a battleground for the issue. The Arizona Supreme Court reinstated a controversial Civil War-era ban in early April, drawing the ire of many—including former President Donald Trump. The measure was repealed a month later, on May 2, following a back-and-forth in the state legislature.
Tangent
On Friday, the Iowa Supreme Court upheld a law banning abortions when fetal cardiac activity is detected, which can occur as soon as six weeks into pregnancy. The law was put on pause due to a temporary injunction issued last July following a lawsuit from Planned Parenthood.
Further Reading
Abortion rights amendment is one step closer to appearing on Arizona's ballot (NBC News)
Nevada Is One Step Closer To Having Abortion On The Ballot This Election—Joining These Other States (Forbes)
Arizona Abortion Rights Initiative Wins Enough Support To Appear On November Ballot, Groups Say (Forbes)
Arizona Governor Signs Bill Repealing 1864 Abortion Ban (Forbes)
