Arizona voters added abortion protections to the state’s constitution two years ago, but reproductive rights advocates say their fight is far from over.
Reproductive Freedom for All, the national arm of the campaign that backed the voter-approved constitutional amendment in 2024, has committed to spending tens of millions of dollars in elections across the country this year.
Athena Salman, a former state lawmaker who runs the organization’s Arizona campaigns, said she still isn’t sure exactly how much of that money will flow into the state but promised Reproductive Freedom for All will be active in Arizona.
“Reproductive Freedom for All has announced the launch of My Body, My Ballot, a $23.5-million campaign to mobilize voters, hold anti-abortion extremists accountable and elect reproductive freedom champions in key races across the country, especially in Arizona, where we have the chance to re-elect Governor Katie Hobbs,” Salman said.
Salman made the announcement alongside Hobbs, medical providers and other reproductive rights advocates on Wednesday, the four-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision that overturned abortion protections guaranteed under Roe v. Wade.
Arizona after Prop. 139
When voters passed Prop. 139 in 2024, they guaranteed Arizonans the right to access abortion care up to the point of fetal viability, which is around 24 weeks. The new law also includes exceptions for abortions beyond 24 weeks to protect the life or physical or mental health of the pregnant person.
But, even with those protections in place, advocates say more work needs to be done.
“My biggest takeaway from Dobbs is that we can't take what we've fought for and won for granted,” Hobbs said.
She pointed to a number of bills the Republican-controlled Legislature introduced this year that she says she would have vetoed if they made it to her desk.
“Even in the face of Prop. 139 passing overwhelmingly, clearly with Republican and Democratic votes, the Legislature still is not willing to understand that this is something Arizonans want, and that would have rolled back those rights,” Hobbs said.
The governor acknowledged that, even if a Republican governor signs similar bills into law, they will likely be struck down in court for conflicting with Prop. 139.
“Expensive court battles for Arizonans to pay for, but also just continuing that roller coaster ride for patients, for doctors not knowing what care they can get or provide,” Hobbs said.
Dr. Gabrielle Goodrick, a Phoenix abortion provider, said there are also a number of restrictive laws still on the books in Arizona that now conflict Prop. 139.
A court voided some of those laws in February.
“But there are still many books that affect patients and the clinic,” Goodrick said.
Advocates said the future of Prop. 139 could depend on the outcome of this year’s elections, though only voters can repeal that constitutional amendment.
“So we are here to share the message that voters can't be complacent,” Salman said.
She pointed to a voter guide published by the Center for Arizona Policy, a conservative anti-abortion group, which asked candidates for office in Arizona whether they support “a legislative referral that would ask voters to repeal Arizona Proposition 139.”
Rep. David Schweikert, one of the Republicans seeking the party’s nomination to challenge Hobbs, said he would support that effort.
Rep. Andy Biggs, who is also seeking the nomination, did not answer the question. In the past, he has staked out anti-abortion positions and opposed adding abortion protections to the state Constitution, according to The Center for Arizona Policy’s 2024 voter guide.
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Planned Parenthood Arizona clinics are once again providing care for patients insured through Medicaid. Services for Medicaid patients had been on pause since September. -
Prescribing abortion medications via telehealth was previously banned by a state law. But a court ruling in February voided that, and several other abortion regulations in Arizona. -
The case involves state laws that ban certain advanced practice clinicians like specially trained nurse practitioners from providing abortion services — something they’ve historically done. -
The Trump administration has launched an online resource hub for new and expectant mothers. The majority of pregnancy centers that the website recommends in Arizona do not offer abortion services. -
Arizona voters approved adding constitutional protections for abortion rights in 2024. But that hasn’t stopped state lawmakers from taking up the issue in various forms since that time.
