Arizona passed Proposition 139 with a nearly 62% approval of the amendment — an estimate of 98.9% of ballots were counted so far, according to the Associated Press.
Prior to the election, Arizona allowed abortion until the 15th week of pregnancy. Proposition 139 would amend the state constitution to allow for abortion until fetal viability, which is around the 24th week of pregnancy. It also permits abortion after fetal viability in order to save the life or health of the pregnant individual, and prevents prosecution for assisting others in getting an abortion.
READ MORE: As elections loom, abortion ballot measure leaves students wondering about access
Nine states, in addition to Arizona, had the constitutional right to an abortion on their ballots this year. Of these, seven passed pro-abortion amendments.
Arizona, Missouri, Montana and Nevada all voted red in the presidential election but also voted for abortion rights at the state level.
"This does grow a little bit of diversity in the mindset, which is hopeful," said Mackenzie Andreas, a sophomore studying anthropology and the treasurer for Devils in the Bedroom. "We want people to vote for people aligned with their personal ideas and not with just party affiliation."
Around 28% of people who voted "yes" on Prop 139 also voted for Trump, according to a KFF poll.
"The passing of Proposition 139 speaks to the broad support — across the entire state, across all political parties, and across voters of all different backgrounds — for reproductive freedom," Erika Mach, the chief external affairs officer for Planned Parenthood Arizona, wrote in an email. "People want the freedom to make medical decisions with their doctor and family, without government involvement."
Andreas also said that this law was particularly significant for students.
"Having Prop. 139 pass makes it so that any student who needs that kind of health care can receive it with less judgment and without fear of what will happen to them in the future," Andreas said.
Danise Rees, a senior studying civic and economic thought and leadership and the vice president of Students for Life at ASU, disagreed, saying that the proposition was too broad.
She said it was problematic because it removed a requirement for input from medical doctors, allowed abortion for more vague physical or mental health reasons and took away parental control regulations for minors.
"A law that's that broad is really dangerous," Rees said.
Now that the election is over, student advocates on both sides of the issue are changing their strategies under this new amendment.
Andreas said that it was important for students to stay involved in understanding their communities and volunteering for their preferred stance, and that having legalized abortion in Arizona should even prompt people to advocate for abortion access in more restrictive states.
Devils in the Bedroom works to provide sexual health resources and products and plans to host Planning Parenthood discussions on campus.
Rees said that Students for Life at ASU will be working to "show women that they're cared for (and to) offer them resources."
They aim to partner with the Aid to Women Center, set up diaper drives and table more on campus to educate students on the free comprehensive health care services that are available to them.
"It's really important for us as students to be involved in this effort, specifically because the abortion industry targets our age group," Rees said. "From 18 to 24 — that's when women are most likely to get abortions."
Ultimately, both Andreas and Rees said that their work was far from over.
"Something's not a right unless it is nationally recognized to be available to you," Andreas said. "Prop. 139 maintains access, but not rights."
Proposition 139 will go into effect after state canvassing and after election results are certified when Gov. Katie Hobbs signs the amendment into law.
Edited by George Headley, Sophia Ramirez, Tiya Talwar and Natalia Jarrett.
Reach the reporter at pkfung@asu.edu and follow @FungPippa on X.
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Pippa is a sophomore studying journalism and mass communication with minors in political science and German. This is her second semester with The State Press. She has also worked at Blaze Radio and the Los Alamos National Lab.
