The Arizona Senate's recent decision to repeal the state's 1864 ban on abortion, which was slated to take effect soon, has stirred significant debate and highlighted the ongoing battle over reproductive rights in the United States.
The Senate approved the repeal with a narrow vote of 16-14, a move expected to be swiftly endorsed by Governor Katie Hobbs, a Democrat. Notably, two Republican senators defied party lines to support the repeal. Last week, the Arizona House had passed the measure after several Republicans joined Democrats in voting to advance it to the Senate.
During the Senate debate, Senator Eva Burch, a Democrat, emphasized the need to repeal what she described as a "bad law" rooted in a time when women were denied voting rights. In contrast, Republican Senator Wendy Rogers defended the 1864 ban, arguing that it aligned with Arizona's conservative values.
The 1864 ban was revived by a state Supreme Court ruling on April 9 and could have taken effect within 60 days unless the legislature intervened, as noted by state Attorney General Kris Mayes, a Democrat. However, despite the repeal, Arizona still has restrictions on abortion, including a law passed in 2022 that bans abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy.
The Arizona abortion ban repeal reflects a broader national debate following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision to allow states to decide on abortion rights. Democrats, viewing public opinion as supportive of abortion rights, have sought to elevate the issue ahead of the November elections. Heather Williams, president of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee, highlighted the party's strategy to leverage the repeal to gain political advantage in Arizona.
Senator Rogers acknowledged the political risks of the repeal, stating, "Some colleagues would say it's politically pragmatic for us to find middle ground. We might lose the legislature, we might lose the presidential election. But it's more important to do what's right."
Arizona Democrats have expressed their intent to pursue a ballot measure in November aimed at restoring abortion rights, indicating that the debate over reproductive rights in Arizona is far from over.