In a historic vote, three Republican representatives joined Democrats in the Arizona House on Wednesday to pass a bill repealing the state’s 1864 ban on abortions. The final vote was 32-28, sending the bill to the Senate for consideration. The move comes after a court ruling revived the ban earlier this month, allowing exceptions only to save the life of the pregnant woman.
Arizona Democrats are attempting to repeal the state’s near-total ban on abortions for the third consecutive week, highlighting a critical issue that has put Republicans on the defensive in a key battleground state for the upcoming presidential election. The proposed repeal faces opposition from Republicans, who have used procedural votes to block earlier efforts. The move comes amid pressure from conservative voters who support the ban but has become a liability with swing voters who will determine crucial races including the presidency and control of the Legislature.
