Arizona Republicans are strategizing to counter a potential abortion rights ballot initiative this fall, as revealed in a draft proposal obtained by CNN. The proposal includes introducing two ballot initiatives that would restrict abortion to either six weeks or the beginning of the 15th week of pregnancy.
This development comes after the Arizona Supreme Court revived a 160-year-old near-total abortion ban, prompting Arizona for Abortion Access to gather over 500,000 signatures for a constitutional amendment protecting abortion until fetal viability, around 22 to 24 weeks.
House GOP Speaker Ben Toma stated that the document was for internal discussion within the caucus, emphasizing the need to address the abortion rights issue following the recent Supreme Court decision.
The memo suggests that the proposed initiatives could potentially split the vote, making it more challenging for the Arizona for Abortion Access initiative to pass. However, it also acknowledges the transfer of abortion regulation from the Legislature to voters as a downside.
Abortion rights groups criticized the draft strategy memo, labeling it a political ploy to create chaos and emphasizing the importance of not leaving personal rights in the hands of politicians.
The proposal outlines a multiphase approach to either block the passage of the Arizona for Abortion Access initiative or protect lawmakers’ ability to regulate abortion access. It includes measures such as requiring parental consent for minors seeking abortions and only allowing physicians to perform the procedure.
The fate of these proposed initiatives remains uncertain, as Republicans hold narrow majorities in the state House and Senate. The memo concludes with a meme featuring talk show host Seth Meyers saying, “Boom. Easy as that.”