On Tuesday, Nov. 5, the people of Arizona voted to pass Proposition 139, which ensures a right to an abortion into the state’s constitution. The referendum needed 50% to pass and received more than 61%.
The new amendment bars the state’s government from putting restrictions on abortion before the point of fetal viability, which is typically around the 24th week of pregnancy. The amendment also allows for exceptions after the point of fetal viability if done “to protect the life, physical, or mental health of the pregnant individual, in the judgment of a treating health care professional.”
The amendment will not go into effect immediately, and Arizona currently allows abortion to the 15-week mark, with the only exceptions after that being if the life or health of the mother is in jeopardy or if the fetus has a deadly anomaly.
The amendment will go into effect after Gov. Katie Hobbes certifies the election at the end of the month and lawsuits are filed, which would overturn the current abortion restrictions in the state.
Arizona State University was the site of a lot of political advocacy in the lead up to the election, with Prop.139 being one of the most polarized items on the ballot.
ASU Professor Gina Woodall analyzed what the results of this ballot measure and the election more broadly mean.
“This is definitely a progressive issue, but I think it’s also an issue that people who aren’t necessarily progressive or Democratic consider something that definitely should be enshrined in the constitution,” she said.
Woodall made note of how last week, in spite of passing Prop.139, as well as voting for Democratic senator candidate Ruben Gallego, a majority of the state voted for now president-elect Donald Trump, a Republican.
“You can’t really put Arizona in this nice tidy box,” Woodall said. “I think it is people really looking at the issues and looking at each race or proposition on its own.”
Prop. 139 received more overall votes than Donald Trump, who won the state by about a six point margin over opposing candidate and current Vice President Kamala Harris, which suggests there were people who voted for Trump and also voted to pass the measure.
Alexandra Sabarsky, a pro-choice advocate and recent ASU graduate, and she is glad the proposition passed with overwhelming support.
“I believe the current system we had in place was too restrictive,” Sabarsky said. “I believe that the previous structure of 15 weeks did not leave room for the reality of life. In terms of making a choice purely out of just not wanting to be pregnant, I would say right before viability is best.”
The passing of Prop.139 begs the question: what happens to the pro-life movement in the state?
Faith Graham-Calhoun, treasurer of ASU College Republicans, is passionately pro-life and believes the best way the pro-life movement in the state can move forward is through education.
“I think we need to work on educating people on what an abortion entails and how it actually does affect women’s mental health, as well as the resources available to them,” she said.
Arizona is one of 10 states to have abortion referendums, and is now one of seven that have passed ballot measures to prevent abortion in the state from being subject to tight restrictions.
Edited by Shi Bradley
