Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, the issue of abortion, especially in Arizona, has felt like a rollercoaster, with bans being passed, hotly debated, and some even overturned. 

The republican led state legislature threw another loop for the state when they passed a new law allowing abortions for the first 15 weeks of pregnancy on May 1st.

The contention around the issue faced a new climax when, on April 9, Arizona’s Supreme Court made the decision to uphold the abortion ban dating back to 1864.

The 1864 law, one that predated Arizona’s admission into the United States, had raised many political and practical issues.

This law would have banned abortions in all cases, except when the mother’s health is threatened. 

This came as a shock to many people, since such a ban isn’t popular among voters. 

According to a poll conducted by YouGov last month, only 7 percent of Arizona voters said that they supported a full abortion ban, like the 1864 law. 

Several top Republicans have also been reluctant to voice support for the law, despite the Republican platform advocating for pro-life policies. 

“Former President Donald Trump and Former Arizona Governor Doug Doucey have even distanced themselves from the law, suggesting it was out of step with the state’s voters,” said an article from BBC. 

Furthermore, the ban was passed before women had the right to vote, so Arizona is reverting to a law passed before the people it affected had any say in the matter. 

Because of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, abortion is a state issue, and so the state legislator may decide not to represent the opinion of the public if it pleases. 

However, the law had not been in place long when the Arizona Senate repealed the law on May 1st.

“Two Republicans joined Senate democrats to get the bill through the Republican-controlled legislature,” said BBC. 

Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs previously claimed that she would sign a repeal, and she did so swiftly on May 2nd, the day after it was passed. 

However, because of Arizona law, “the repeal will not go into effect until 90 days after the legislative session ends,” said an article from NBC. 

Once that happens, Arizona will go back to the law it had in place before the 1864 law – a 15 week abortion ban, passed under Former Governor Doug Doucey in 2022. 

The heat of the abortion debate will not subside as a result of the appeal – abortion is extremely controversial, and it is very possible that Arizona could find itself in the midst of another struggle soon. 

The overturning of Roe v. Wade, a Democratic governor, a Republican state legislature, and an upcoming election is surely a formula for more ups and downs.