The Fate of Abortion in Arizona & Controversial Prop 314

In the Dobbs decision in 2022, the federal Supreme Court ruled that the states would decide the fate of abortion, state by state.  Arizona voters will, in all likelihood, have the final say on whether to enshrine a state constitutional right to terminate a pregnancy when they vote on the Abortion Access Act amendment in November.  Over 800,000 signatures were gathered and certified to get this measure, Proposition 139, on November’s ballot.

Proposition 314 is a controversial measure that is currently being challenged because it covers more than one subject.  According to the Arizona constitution, any law must be limited to one subject.  314 includes a hodge podge of various subjects including crossing the border at other than a port of entry, the sale of Fentanyl that causes the death of another, people in the country illegally who submit false documents.  Last month, the trial judge for the challenge said although the measure does contain multiple subjects, they are sufficiently related to each other, so he would not order that it be taken off the ballot.  Now this challenge will go to the Arizona Supreme court for the final decision as to whether this measure will make it to the November ballot.