TL/DR –
The Arizona Abortion Access Act is gaining momentum, with over 500,000 signatures collected, more than the 383,923 required to get on the November ballot. The act would enshrine the right to an abortion in the Arizona Constitution, allowing abortions until the point of fetal viability, around 24 weeks, and beyond if the mother’s health is at risk. The state’s Republican party is reportedly facing financial difficulties and could not pay rent for multiple months in 2023 due to a shortage of cash flow and donations.
Arizona Abortion Access Act Gathers Steam for November Ballot
The Arizona Abortion Access Act is hurtling toward the November ballot with backers announcing on Tuesday that they’ve collected over 500,000 signatures, surpassing the 383,923 needed to secure a spot on the ballot.
Democrat Ruben Gallego’s Senate Campaign Raises $7.5 Million
In other political news, Democrat Ruben Gallego’s U.S. Senate campaign announced that it raised an impressive $7.5 million in Q1 2024, more than doubling his previous quarterly totals.
Arizona GOP Struggles with Funding
Meanwhile, the Arizona Republican Party is grappling with financial woes, admitting to the Federal Elections Commission that they couldn’t make rent “for multiple months” in 2023 due to a “shortage of cash-flow and donations,” according to a report from the Arizona’s Politics blog.
Impact of Abortion Issue on Arizona Elections
The Arizona Abortion Access Act could significantly influence voter turnout in the upcoming elections, potentially boosting Democratic votes. The Act guarantees the constitutional right to an abortion until the point of fetal viability, around 24 weeks, with provisions for health-related exceptions.
Implications of the Court Ruling on the Abortion Issue
If the Arizona Supreme Court reinstates the 1864 territorial law that criminalizes abortion, it could trigger a backlash that could jeopardize the Republicans’ control over the state Legislature. GOP legislators could have averted this by repealing the 1864 abortion law, thereby ensuring the 15-week abortion ban passed in 2022 remains in effect.
Impact of Abortion Issue on Republican Candidates
With abortion being a central issue on the ballot, Republican candidates will be compelled to take a stand. This could be challenging as reproductive rights have passed in every state where the issue has been put to a public vote, including conservative states like Ohio and Kansas.
Republican Lawmakers’ Stance on the Abortion Issue
Republican lawmakers, who could have minimized the potential backlash by being strategic about the abortion issue, are now focusing on their campaigns. They are planning to reduce their work at the state Capitol to one day a week, having accomplished nothing this year.
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