10 THINGS: Pro-choice advocates set sights on 800k mark for Arizona abortion ballot, here's your primer

If approved, the measure would allow abortions until around 24 weeks.

PUBLISHED JUL 3, 2024

Arizona election officials have until August 22 to verify the petition signatures.

10 Things is a column that aims to explain the heavier news stories of the day in no more than 10 points.

Phoenix, Arizona: Pro-choice activists are working against the clock to garner the 800,000 signatures required to get abortion rights on Arizona’s November general election ballot. Here are 10 things you need to know about their quest and the numbers and scale involvolved.

1) Pro-choice advocates aim to deliver around 800,000 petition signatures to get the abortion rights issue on Arizona’s November general election ballot.

2) The amendment measure requires 383,923 valid signatures to qualify for the ballot, enshrining a fundamental right to an abortion in the state constitution.

3) Activists in Nebraska and Arkansas are also submitting signatures for similar ballot measures this week.

4) The issue will also be on the ballot in Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Nevada and South Dakota.

5) Opponents argue the measure could lead to unlimited and unregulated abortions in Arizona.

6) Arizona for Abortion Access, a coalition including the ACLU of Arizona and Planned Parenthood, had collected over 500,000 signatures by April.

7) The petition submission marks the highest number of signatures ever submitted by a citizens initiative in Arizona.

8) Election officials have until August 22 to verify the petition signatures.

9) If approved, the measure would allow abortions until around 24 weeks, with exceptions to protect the parent’s life or health, and restrict the state from prohibiting access.

10) The measure responds to recent legislative changes, including the upholding of an 1864 abortion ban and a 2022 law banning abortions after 15 weeks.