Arizona Ballot Measure Sparks Legal Battle Over Abortion Rights Pamphlet Language

Supporters of an Arizona ballot measure amending the constitution to establish abortion rights sued Republican lawmakers. The lawsuit challenges wording in voter informational pamphlets, arguing for neutral language. The pamphlet currently uses the term 'unborn human', which the group wants changed to 'fetus' for neutrality and medical accuracy.

Supporters of a ballot measure that would amend Arizona's constitution to establish abortion rights sued Republican lawmakers on Wednesday. They challenged the phrasing in a pamphlet to be distributed to voters before the November polls, arguing that the use of the term 'unborn human' is not neutral.

The group Arizona for Abortion Access filed a lawsuit asking the Maricopa County Superior Court to mandate that the Arizona Legislative Council adopt impartial language. They assert that 'fetus' is a neutral, objective, and medically accurate term that should be used instead.

According to the pamphlet summary, current law prohibits abortion if the probable gestational age of the 'unborn human being' exceeds 15 weeks, with certain exceptions. The pamphlet mirrors current law terminology, but the ballot measure does not use the term 'unborn human'.

Arizona Senate President Warren Petersen, a defendant in the lawsuit, said, 'We believe the Legislative Council drafted an unbiased description that accurately reflects the measure. We are confident that we will prevail.'

(With inputs from agencies.)