Guardian: Arizona senate passes repeal of 1864 near-total abortion ban [View all]

[lindysalsagal]

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/may/01/democrat-close-repeal-arizona-abortion-ban

Democrats pick up support of two Republicans to repeal 1864 law reinstated three weeks ago as governor is expected to ratify repeal

An effort to repeal Arizona’s 160-year-old statute banning nearly all abortions has received enough votes in the state’s senate to pass.

The 1864 law, which was reinstated by the state’s supreme court three weeks ago, has made abortion a central focus in the battleground state and galvanized Democrats seeking to enshrine abortion rights.

In the state’s senate, Democrats picked up the support of two Republicans in favor of repealing the ban. The Democratic governor, Katie Hobbs, is expected to ratify the repeal, which narrowly cleared the Arizona house last week after three Republicans joined with all the Democrats in the chamber.

The statute, which predates Arizona’s statehood, bans nearly all abortions, including those sought by survivors of rape or incest. It also imposes prison terms for doctors and others who aid in abortions. The law had been blocked by the 1973 supreme court Roe v Wade decisions that granted the constitutional right to abortion.