Arizona

Arizona’s Legislature Voted to Repeal Its Abortion Ban, but It May Still Go Into Effect

The state Senate repealed the ban a week after the House did the same. But under state procedure, the repeal may not be effective until months after the ban is in place.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, here delivering her State of the State address at the state Capitol, has said she would sign the repeal law as soon as it is passed.

Arizona Gov. Katie Hobbs, here delivering her State of the State address at the state Capitol, has said she would sign the repeal law as soon as it is passed. Ross D. Franklin/AP

By Tara Kavaler

May 01, 2024 04:33 PM

The Arizona state Senate voted to repeal the state’s near-total abortion ban Wednesday, a week after the state House did the same after multiple failed attempts.

But because of procedural rules that delay the start of new legislation, the 1864 law may still temporarily go into effect in June, leading to months of uncertainty around abortion services.

Two Republicans, T.J. Shope of Coolidge and Shawnna Bolick of Phoenix, joined Democrats to repeal the bill, which polls have shown a majority of Arizonans oppose.