Battle over abortion heats up in Arizona — and could be on the 2024 ballot

PHOENIX — As opponents of abortion rights marched through the streets of Arizona’s capital Friday, organizers and activists on both sides of the issue have an eye on Election Day.

Abortion rights groups are seeking to put a constitutional amendment on the November ballot that would create a “fundamental right” to receive abortion care up until fetal viability, or about the 24th week of pregnancy.

Placement of the measure could help boost Democratic turnout in the state amid both a battleground presidential campaign and a key Senate, a potential boon for President Joe Biden, who has trailed former President Donald Trump in recent Arizona polling.

In the nearly two years since the U.S. Supreme Court struck down national abortion protections, abortion-rights advocates have so far won every race in which the issue has appeared directly on the ballot. Seeking to further galvanize support of reproductive rights, such groups are working in as many as 13 states to place measures this fall to enshrine abortion rights in state constitutions.

But as that effort has expanded, so too has the energy and organization behind efforts to fight them. And the proposal faces meaningful resistance from conservatives in Arizona.

Those passions were on display Friday at the Arizona Right For Life March, where thousands gathered to celebrate their anti-abortion ideals. A shofar was blown, drums were banged and a Catholic priest with a megaphone chanted “ole, ole, ole, ole, pro-life, pro-life.” Activists and organizers were joined by hundreds of children from across Arizona.

Sister Maria Rose Metzger, ​​a Dominican Sister of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist and high school teacher, brought many of her students to the March For Life.

“The young