Since 2022, Arizona has limited abortions to 15 weeks of pregnancy. Opponents argued that this law provided sufficient access and included reasonable exceptions for miscarriages and emergencies. They criticized Proposition 139 as overly permissive. Supporters countered that the existing restrictions forced women facing complications later in pregnancy to seek care out of state, calling the 15-week law overly burdensome.
The initiative gathered over 800,000 signatures, far exceeding the number required, and raised $32 million in support—substantially more than the opposition. Polling prior to the vote indicated strong support for the measure among Arizona voters.
With the passage of the amendment, Arizona’s 15-week abortion restriction is expected to be overridden. However, the state has numerous other abortion-related regulations, including a mandatory 24-hour waiting period, a ban on abortion medication by mail, and an ultrasound requirement. Legal experts expect these laws to face challenges in court as the new constitutional provision takes effect, potentially leading to a period of litigation and uncertainty.
“There will be a lot of litigation trying to figure out exactly what it means,” said Barbara Atwood, professor emerita at the University of Arizona, noting that courts will likely need to determine the fate of the state’s various abortion regulations under the new amendment.
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