Arizona's dusty annals of law are turning over a fresh page as Governor Katie Hobbs prepares to wield her pen, repealing a measure from the Civil War era that outlawed all abortions. The state Senate, on the heels of an impassioned campaign by reproductive rights advocates, gave its nod to discard the 1864 blanket prohibition. “Today, I am glad to see the Senate answered my call and voted to repeal Arizona’s 1864 total abortion ban, and I look forward to quickly signing the repeal into law. This total abortion ban would have jailed doctors, threatened the lives of women across our state and stripped millions of Arizonans of their bodily autonomy. The devastating consequences of this archaic ban are why I’ve called for it to be repealed since day one of my administration. Thank you to Democratic members of the House and Senate for working tirelessly with me to repeal this draconian law."
A victory for pro-choice supporters, this legislative turnabout resonates with a broader national struggle over a woman's right to choose. These remarks emphasize the dire consequences the archaic law could have churned had it been left in effect, underscoring the urgency with which the Democratic leadership pursued its nullification.
While this move has been heralded as a win for reproductive rights, it also signals a continued fight on the horizon. Hobbs, undeterred in her defense for reproductive freedom, is setting her sights on broadening protections further by backing initiatives like the Arizona Right to Contraception Act and defending in vitro fertilization (IVF) from ongoing legislative threats. Clearly “I will never stop fighting to protect reproductive freedom. Arizona women should not have to live in a state where politicians make decisions that should be between a woman and her doctor. While this repeal is essential for protecting women’s lives, it is just the beginning of our fight to protect reproductive healthcare in Arizona. I will continue to call on the legislature to pass the Arizona Right to Contraception Act and protect IVF from ongoing attacks. And I encourage every Arizonan to make their voices heard this November when abortion rights will be on the ballot., a statement from Hobbs' proclamation.
Behind the repeal stands Representative Stephanie Stahl Hamilton and Senator Anna Hernandez, architects of the reform through their respective bills. Hernandez took a swing at the opposition, stating, “The Republican leadership in Arizona has shown that they are unwavering in their desire to strip us of our rights, our voices, and our vote. Our state has lived under their consistent lack of accountability and transparency for too long—the fight for abortion rights has simply shown a bright light on how corrupt they have truly become. Democrats are committed to protecting every Arizonans’ right to decide what their future looks like.” Hamilton, who laid the foundation of the House bill, also shared the sentiment of relief now afforded to Arizonans.
As bill supporters and the Governor's office engage in a moment of triumph, with pro-choice advocates seeing a sliver of hope in a predominantly conservative landscape, the broader implications of this decision will unfold as Arizonans keep a vigilant eye on the ballot this November, where abortion rights are expected to be a hot-button issue. The heated discourse and the tireless push for reproductive autonomy ensure Arizonans that the battle, though hard-won today, rages on to fortify rights seen not just as individual freedoms but as essential components to the health and wellbeing of an ever-changing populace.
