In a historic decision, the Arizona Senate voted 16-14 on Wednesday to overturn the state’s longstanding 1864 ban on abortion.
The move comes as a response to the recent revival of the century-old law by a state Supreme Court ruling. Governor Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, is anticipated to swiftly endorse the repeal, marking a significant shift in Arizona’s stance on reproductive rights.
The repeal garnered support from two Republican senators who crossed party lines, joining Democrats in the effort to strike down the archaic legislation.
Senator Eva Burch, a Democrat, underscored the necessity of discarding laws that were established during an era when women were disenfranchised.
Republican Senator Wendy Rogers defended the retention of the ban, citing conservative principles and asserting that life begins at conception.
The decision spotlights the ongoing debate over women’s reproductive rights in the deeply divided state of Arizona.
With the U.S. Supreme Court‘s 2022 ruling, which devolved the authority over abortion regulations to individual states, conservative-leaning states swiftly moved to impose stringent restrictions on abortion.
Democrats, buoyed by public support for abortion rights, have intensified efforts to address the issue ahead of the upcoming presidential election, viewing Arizona as a significant battleground.
The repeal of the 1864 ban serves as a focal point for Democrats seeking to rally support against what they perceive as extreme conservative policies.
Heather Williams, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, emphasized the strategic importance of leveraging the divisive stance of “MAGA Arizona Republicans” to advance the Democratic agenda in the state.
Despite the repeal, abortion restrictions remain in place in Arizona, notably a law passed in 2022 that prohibits abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Democrats have expressed their intention to continue advocating for the restoration of abortion rights through potential ballot measures in the November elections.
