On Wednesday, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled that an official voter pamphlet can describe a fetus as an “unborn human being” for the upcoming November ballot, where voters will decide on a proposed amendment to guarantee a constitutional right to abortion.
The proposed amendment aims to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, permitting the procedure until a fetus is viable outside the womb, generally around 24 weeks. It also includes exceptions for the life and health of the pregnant individual and would prevent the state from enacting laws that restrict abortion access.
In its decision, the court sided with Republican lawmakers who argued that the term “unborn human being” is appropriate for the pamphlet. However, this ruling has faced criticism from abortion rights advocates, who contend that the term is biased and politically charged.
Arizona for Abortion Access expressed disappointment, stating, “We are deeply disappointed in this ruling but will not be deterred from doing everything in our power to communicate to voters the truth of the Arizona Abortion Access Act and why it’s critical to vote yes to restore and protect access to abortion care this fall.”
The pamphlet, produced by the Arizona Secretary of State’s office, is intended to provide voters with information on candidates and ballot measures. It remains unclear whether the specific language used in the pamphlet will directly influence the ballot.
The Secretary of State’s office confirmed on Monday that it had certified 577,971 signatures for the ballot measure, surpassing the required number needed to place the question before voters.
Abortion rights have become a central issue for Democrats, particularly following the Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. Arizona, a key battleground state in the presidential election, is expected to see heightened voter turnout driven by this issue.
Earlier this year, the Arizona Supreme Court allowed a near-total abortion ban from 1864 to take effect, which sparked national outrage and led to bipartisan efforts to repeal it. Currently, Arizona prohibits abortions beyond 15 weeks of pregnancy.
Other states, including Nevada, will also vote on abortion-related measures this year. Since Roe v. Wade’s reversal, GOP-led states like Ohio and Kansas have enacted measures to protect abortion rights through ballot initiatives.
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