Arizona Passes Proposition 139 to Protect Abortion Rights

Arizona voters approved Proposition 139, amending the state constitution to guarantee the right to abortion until fetal viability, around 24 weeks, and in cases where a woman's health is at risk. This measure passed decisively with 62% of the vote, reflecting a significant expansion of abortion access in the state amidst ongoing national debates on the issue. In addition to abortion rights, voters also approved Proposition 314, which restricts illegal immigration by empowering law enforcement to arrest those entering the state unlawfully and imposing stricter penalties for related offenses. The passage of these propositions comes as Arizona experiences a surge in illegal border crossings, with the U.S. Border Patrol recording over 463,000 encounters in the past fiscal year. Supporters of Proposition 139 celebrate it as a historic victory for reproductive rights, while opponents express concerns about potential impacts on medical oversight. Overall, seven of the ten states with abortion ballot measures successfully enshrined reproductive rights in their constitutions, marking a pivotal moment in the fight for abortion access across the U.S.