A judge rejected a request by GOP lawmakers to use the term “unborn human being” to refer to a fetus in an Arizona voter pamphlet for a ballot measure on expanding abortion access.
Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Christopher Whitten stated that the term suggested by the state legislative council was emotionally charged and partisan, and he requested more neutral language.
The measure seeks to extend abortion access from 15 to 24 weeks, the point at which a fetus can survive outside the womb. It also includes exemptions to save the woman’s life or protect her physical or mental health and would prevent the state from enacting laws that restrict access to the procedure.
Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma, a Republican and co-chair of the legislative council, said they plan to appeal the decision to the state Supreme Court, calling the ruling wrong and partisan.
Aaron Thacker, communications director for Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes, mentioned that the final decision on the ballot language is still uncertain, as courts must decide if counties can include it.
Arizona for Abortion Access, the group behind the ballot measure, sued the council over the suggested language and advocated for the term “fetus,” which the council rejected. Attorney General Kris Mayes supported using “fetus” and “pregnancy” as neutral terms.
Dawn Penich, communications director for the abortion access group, emphasized the importance of objective and accurate terminology for Arizona voters.
Democrats have focused on abortion rights in their campaigns, with similar measures proposed in Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, and South Dakota. Arizona organizers submitted more than double the required signatures for the measure to appear on the ballot.