PHOENIX — In a decisive move, Arizona voters approved Proposition 139, a measure safeguarding abortion rights in the state, during the 2024 election. The Associated Press projected the outcome early Wednesday after initial returns on Tuesday night showed a strong lead for the “yes” vote.
With over 2.1 million votes reported, Prop 139 led 61.7%-38.3%, according to the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office. The citizen-led initiative amends the Arizona Constitution, ensuring the right to an abortion “before the point of fetal viability,” around 23 to 24 weeks, and allows exceptions beyond viability to protect the mother’s physical and mental health.
Details of Proposition 139’s Impact
Prop 139 effectively restores Arizona’s abortion laws to the state of access before the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. The measure limits state power to enact future laws that might restrict abortion access. This amendment supersedes the current law, which allows abortions up to 15 weeks following legislation passed earlier this year to prevent a near-total ban dating back to the Civil War era.
