Arizona voters will vote on abortion access in November

Opponents of the initiative argue it goes too far and could lead to unregulated abortions in the state. Lawsuits to stop the measure from appearing on the ballot are expected.

Arizona is one of many states where voters have considered or will consider a ballot initiative surrounding abortion access since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.

So far, the measures have proved popular with voters – residents of California, Michigan, Vermont and Ohio voted to protect abortion rights by wide margins.

Kansas and Kentucky voters also rejected referendums that would have stripped abortion rights.

The Arizona Secretary of State’s office said it certified 577,971 signatures – more than the 383,923 required to appear on the ballot in Arizona – in support of asking voters directly how abortion access in the state should look.

The petition represents the most signatures validated for a citizen-led initative in state history, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes said.

Arizona for Abortion Access — a coalition that includes the ACLU of Arizona and Planned Parenthood Advocates of Arizona — led the months-long effort.

“This is a huge win for Arizona voters who will now get to vote YES on restoring and protecting the right to access abortion care, free from political interference, once and for all,” Cheryl Bruce, campaign manager for Arizona for Abortion Access, said in a statement.

Abortions in Arizona are currently legal until the 15th week of pregnancy. After the 15th week mark, the law makes exception for the procedure to save a mother’s life, but not for rape or incest.