A group promoting the legal right to abortions in a forthcoming Arizona ballot measure has sued a GOP committee that leads the state’s legislature. The suit contests the committee’s intent to have related information included in a voter pamphlet that refers to a fetus as an “unborn human being.”
In this regard, on Wednesday, Arizona for Abortion Access filed suit with Maricopa county superior court seeking the judge’s intervention to bar what language Republican-dominated legislative group prefers from appearing in initiative summary. This summary will appear in a pamphlet designed to help voters make informed decisions at the polls.
Democrat campaigns this year turn on abortion. Also, Nebraska, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, and South Dakota are proposing ballot measures like this one that seek to write into their state constitutions abortion rights. New York also has an abortion access protection measure.
Moreover, Arizona pro-choice group insists that “fetus” should be used instead of “unborn human being,” which it believes is intended to suggest opposition to the measure within its summary of pamphlets.
“The citizens of Arizona have the right to clear and unambiguous information from their government before they vote on any ballot propositions,” said the organization in a statement. “The Arizona Legislative Council failed this obligation by denying our request for ‘fetus,’ which is neutral medical term in exchange for ‘unborn human being’ within 2024 General Election Publicity Pamphlet.”
Under this proposal life begins at viability outside of womb – generally around 24 weeks gestation – or when necessary due to threat on woman’s life or severe injury affecting her physical or mental health. In addition, no laws restricting access to abortion would be allow by the state.
Presently Arizona bans abortions after 15 weeks after fertilization (early development process). Opponents believe it could lead to unchecked and unregulated abortions across the State.
Leisa Brug who runs It Goes Too Far campaign against the initiative supports term “unborn human being.”
“The language should not resemble a campaign ad, but instead it should give voters a clear picture of what is in the existing law and what the proposed amendment would do,” commented Brug.
Earlier this month, Arizona organizers said they had submitted 823,685 signatures, well above the required amount of 383,923 registered voters. The county election officials will have until Aug. 22 to validate these signatures and then forward their findings to the Secretary of State’s office in Arizona.
