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Arizona Supreme Court Upholds 1864 Abortion Ban, Sparking Political Turmoil

The ruling has intensified the abortion debate in Arizona, putting Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake in a challenging position as she navigates electoral backlash.

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Abortion rights activists attend a news conference addressing the Arizona Supreme Court's ruling to uphold a 160-year-old near-total abortion ban at the Arizona state Capitol in Phoenix on April 9, 2024.
Demonstrators during a Women's March rally in Phoenix, Arizona, US, on Saturday, Jan. 20, 2024. The annual march is taking place ahead of the anniversary of the US Supreme Court's Roe v. Wade ruling enshrining a women's right to abortion, which was overturned in 2022.
Kari Lake

Overview

  • Arizona's Supreme Court upheld an 1864 law banning almost all abortions, except to save the mother's life, causing widespread political and social repercussions.
  • Republican Senate candidate Kari Lake, previously a supporter of the ban, now opposes the ruling and calls for a 'commonsense solution' amidst electoral pressures.
  • The decision has prompted a significant backlash from both sides of the political spectrum, with other Republicans also distancing themselves from the ruling.
  • Historical context of the 1864 law, originally written during the Civil War era, highlights its outdated and controversial nature in today's society.
  • The ruling is likely to become a central issue in the upcoming elections, influencing voter turnout and campaign strategies.