Monday is the 51st anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade decision, which guaranteed access to abortion in the U.S. until it was overturned in 2022. Democrats nationwide are using the anniversary to highlight abortion rights as a major platform issue heading into this year’s election. And Arizona is a key state in the national strategy.
The Biden-Harris 2024 campaign promoted several Roe v. Wade anniversary events in battleground states, including Arizona, where they’re hoping the issue of abortion rights will bring voters to the polls in November.
Arizona democrats, including Phoenix mayor Kate Gallego, Tucson mayor Regina Romero, and members of the Arizona Legislature spoke Monday in Roe v. Wade anniversary events in Phoenix and Tucson. Abortion rights advocates in Arizona are promoting a potential 2024 ballot measure that would expand abortion access in the state.
But Arizona’s Supreme Court is weighing whether to reinstate a near-total abortion ban dating back to the 1860s.
“I don’t think Arizonans — and we proved that in 2022 — Arizonans do not want to go back to this. Arizonans do not want our freedoms to be taken away," said Yolanda Bejarano, chair of the Arizona Democratic Party.
Vice President Kamala Harris is planning a national tour in coming weeks to highlight abortion rights. The White House has not yet confirmed if she’ll visit Arizona.
