Gov. Katie Hobbs on Tuesday added her signature to the petition aiming to put an abortion rights measure before Arizona voters in 2024. Abortion rights advocates need to collect nearly 400,000 signatures by July to qualify for the ballot.
Hobbs, a Democrat, signed the petition alongside a group of Republican and Independent voters. She said abortion access is not about political party, but personal freedom.
Hobbs was also joined by her 21-year-old daughter, Hannah Goodman.
“I am still outraged that in 2023, my daughter has fewer rights than I did at her age some 30 years ago, and I’m going to do everything I can in my power to change that,” Hobbs said.
Abortion is currently legal up to 15 weeks' gestation in Arizona. But Hobbs noted a pending case before the state Supreme Court could lead to further restrictions.
“In Arizona we are just one bad court decision away from an 1864 abortion ban that carries prison time for doctors and provides no exceptions for rape or incest," Hobbs said.
Arizona's Supreme Court is scheduled to hear oral arguments in the case on Dec. 12. Hobbs last month filed an amicus brief urging the court not to reinstate the near-total ban.
The proposed ballot measure, organized by the group Arizona for Abortion Access, would amend the state constitution to allow abortions to the point of fetal viability, around 24 weeks. It would also include exceptions when health risks are involved.
