Arizona Supreme Court Clears 200-Word Abortion Rights Summary for Ballot

The Arizona Supreme Court validated a 200-word summary used by abortion advocates for a ballot measure, enabling voters to decide on the constitutional right to an abortion. The ruling supports abortions up to around 24 weeks with some exceptions. The decision follows a challenge that the summary was misleading.

The Arizona Supreme Court has confirmed the validity of a 200-word summary that abortion advocates used to gather signatures for a ballot measure. This decision clears the way for voters to decide on a constitutional right to abortion in a forthcoming election. Under the proposed measure, abortions would be permitted until the point when an embryo or foetus could survive outside the womb, typically around 24 weeks. Exceptions would be granted for cases where the mother's life or health is at risk.

This ruling comes ahead of a critical ballot printing deadline in Arizona. The Arizona Right to Life organization, which challenged the measure, argued the summary was misleading. However, the high court justices dismissed this claim, as well as the assertion that the summary did not state it would overturn existing abortion laws if approved.

Arizona for Abortion Access, the group behind the initiative, hailed the ruling as a significant victory. With the Arizona secretary of state's office recently certifying 577,971 signatures, far exceeding the required amount, advocates are now focused on rallying voter support. This issue has become a central theme in the Democrats' campaign efforts since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.

(With inputs from agencies.)