Arizona Supreme Court Allows Near-Total Abortion Ban Dating Back to 1860s

Published: 09 April 2024 at 17:28

Health

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled that the state must adhere to a 123-year-old penal code provision barring most abortions except to save the pregnant person's life. This law, dating back to 1864, carries a prison sentence for abortion providers. The court's decision adds Arizona to states where abortion care is effectively banned, amidst ongoing battles over abortion access since the overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. As a result, abortion will soon be outlawed in Arizona except in cases where the pregnant person's life is at risk, without exceptions for rape or incest.

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Arizona Attorney General Pledges Not to Enforce 150-Year-Old Abortion Law After Supreme Court Ruling

After the Arizona Supreme Court ruled to reinstate a 150-year-old law criminalizing abortion in the state, Attorney General Kris Mayes denounced the decision, stating it risks the health and lives of Arizonans. The law, if enacted, would be one of the strictest in the country, allowing abortion only to save the mothers life. Mayes affirmed that during her tenure, no woman or doctor would be prosecuted under this law. A ballot measure by a group supporting abortion rights in Arizona is set to go before voters, proposing to codify the right to abortion until the 24th week of pregnancy.

Arizona Supreme Court Upholds Near Total Abortion Ban

The Arizona Supreme Court ruled to enforce an 1864 law criminalizing all abortions except when a mother's life is at stake, with no exceptions for rape or incest. Democrats blame Trump and Republicans for the ruling, while Biden's campaign emphasizes efforts to restore abortion rights. The decision makes Arizona one of the strictest battleground states on abortion, prompting potential political shifts and backlash. The ruling could have a significant impact on the upcoming elections. Florida has also seen a similar decision on abortion laws. Despite the ruling's historical origins, it remains a contentious and critical issue in the current political landscape.

Donald Trump's New Abortion Stance Mimics GOP's 2022 Midterm Strategy

Donald Trump recently stated that abortion rights should be determined by states, resembling the GOP's approach during the 2022 midterms, where some candidates avoided taking a stance on federal legislation by deferring to states. This tactic resulted in mixed outcomes for the party, with candidates like Ron Johnson winning in Wisconsin using this strategy and others like Blake Masters losing in Arizona after endorsing federal action.

Arizona Supreme Court (Wikipedia)

The Arizona Supreme Court is the state supreme court of the U.S. state of Arizona. Sitting in the Supreme Court building in downtown Phoenix, the court consists of a chief justice, a vice chief justice, and five associate justices. Each justice is appointed by the governor of Arizona from a list recommended by a bipartisan commission. Justices stand for retention in an election two years after their appointment and then every six years. They must retire at age 70.

Arizona (Wikipedia)

Arizona ( ARR-ih-ZOH-nə; Navajo: Hoozdo Hahoodzo [hoː˥z̥to˩ ha˩hoː˩tso˩]; O'odham: Alĭ ṣonak [ˈaɭi̥ ˈʂɔnak]) is a state in the Southwestern region of the United States. Arizona is part of the Four Corners region with Utah to the north, Colorado to the northeast, and New Mexico to the east; its other neighboring states are Nevada to the northwest, California to the west and the Mexican states of Sonora and Baja California to the south and southwest. It is the 6th-largest and the 14th-most-populous of the 50 states. Its capital and largest city is Phoenix.Arizona is the 48th state and last of the contiguous states to be admitted to the Union, achieving statehood on February 14, 1912. Historically part of the territory of Alta California and Nuevo México in New Spain, it became part of independent Mexico in 1821. After being defeated in the Mexican–American War, Mexico ceded much of this territory to the United States in 1848, where the area became part of the territory of New Mexico. The southernmost portion of the state was acquired in 1853 through the Gadsden Purchase.Southern Arizona is known for its desert climate, with very hot summers and mild winters. Northern Arizona features forests of pine, Douglas fir, and spruce trees; the Colorado Plateau; mountain ranges (such as the San Francisco Mountains); as well as large, deep canyons, with much more moderate summer temperatures and significant winter snowfalls. There are ski resorts in the areas of Flagstaff, Sunrise, and Tucson. In addition to the internationally known Grand Canyon National Park, which is one of the world's seven natural wonders, there are several national forests, national parks, and national monuments.Arizona's population and economy have grown dramatically since the 1950s because of inward migration, and the state is now a major hub of the Sun Belt. Cities such as Phoenix and Tucson have developed large, sprawling suburban areas. Many large companies, such as PetSmart and Circle K, have headquarters in the state, and Arizona is home to major universities, including the University of Arizona and Arizona State University. The state is known for a history of conservative politicians such as Barry Goldwater and John McCain, though it has become a swing state since the 1990s.Arizona is home to a diverse population. About one-quarter of the state is made up of Indian reservations that serve as the home of 27 federally recognized Native American tribes, including the Navajo Nation, the largest in the state and the United States, with more than 300,000 citizens. Since the 1980s, the proportion of Hispanics in the state's population has grown significantly owing to migration from Mexico. A substantial portion of the population are followers of the Roman Catholic Church and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Arizona City, Arizona (Wikipedia)

Arizona City is an unincorporated census-designated place (CDP) in southwestern Pinal County, Arizona, United States. It is located near the junction of Interstate 8 and Interstate 10 at the midpoint between Phoenix and Tucson, approximately 60 miles (97 km) from the downtown of both cities. The population was 10,475 as of the 2010 U.S. Census. It is estimated to be approximately 11,030 as of a 2017 U.S. Census estimate. Arizona City is a rural, primarily residential community that features a 48-acre (19 ha) man-made lake which has an HOA and is private to residents of surrounding homes only. These attributes make the community a popular snowbird destination, with the population increasing by as much as 5,000 people in the winter months to reach the census figure of 11,030. Most recently after the last Census, many full-time residents have relocated to the unincorporate town.