Arizona Repeals Controversial 1864 Abortion Ban

In a big victory for abortion advocates, the Republican-held Arizona State Senate has repealed the controversial 1864 abortion ban that totally bans any form of abortion unless the mother's life is in danger.

The law was reinstated after an Arizona State Supreme Court Decision that itself came after the US Supreme overturned Roe V. Wade. The State Supreme Court decision sparked massive outcry all over the United States, so much so that even conservatives were against it. However, several Republican politicians still flip-flopped on the 1864 Arizona ban, such as Kari Lake.

The Arizona repeal's passing was considered to be bipartisan, with two State Senate Republicans, Shawnna Bolick and TJ Shope, sided with all 14 Democrats. However, the decision was still passed in a narrow margin in the Republican-majority Senate, according to NBC News.

Because those who wanted the repeal had the majority, the Democrats managed to overcome the hurdles that the more anti-abortion Republicans placed and quickly moved to vote on the matter. It passed narrowly, but Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, a Democrat, is expected to sign the repeal bill into law as soon as it gets to her table, which is as early as Wednesday night.

"Would Arizona's pre-Roe law have allowed me this medical procedure even though at the time my life was not in danger?" said Republican Senator Bolick who sided with the Democrats on the repeal. She had her own experience with one of the procedures banned by the law and was forced to have a dilation and curettage procedure during the first trimester of a non-viable pregnancy she experienced.

"Having a 'D and C' in my first trimester because the baby wasn't viable was very tough," she added. She also stated that she heard several emotional stories of women who experienced major complications during pregnancy and like her, also needed care that would have been restricted by the Civil War Era 1964 abortion law.

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs Vows To Sign Bill Repealing 1864 Abortion Law

Meanwhile, Democratic Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs has been very vocal about wanting to sign the bill into law, and she has been telling reporters that she wants to sign the bill "quickly," according to CNN.

"While this repeal is essential for protecting women's lives, it is just the beginning of our fight to protect reproductive healthcare in Arizona," she said in a statement.

What Happens After Arizona's 1864 Abortion Bill is Repealed?

Should the 1864 Arizona Abortion Law be repealed by the Arizona governor, this would mean that the 2022 statute banning the procedure after 15 weeks of pregnancy would be reinstated as the state's prevailing abortion law, according to the Associated Press.

However, the repeal would not take effect until 90 days after the end of the legislative session. This means that nearly all abortions are still deemed illegal in Arizona until June or July.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Arizona State Senate votes to repeal 19th century abortion ban - News 4 Tucson KVOA-TV