A judge on Friday rejected an effort by GOP lawmakers to use the term “unborn human being” to refer to a fetus in the pamphlet that Arizona voters would use to weigh a ballot measure that would expand abortion access in the state.

Maricopa County Superior Court Judge Christopher Whitten said the wording the state legislative council suggested is “packed with emotion and partisan meaning” and asked for what he called more “neutral” language. The measure aims to expand abortion access from 15 weeks to 24 weeks, the point at which a fetus can survive outside the womb.

It would allow exemptions to save the woman’s life or to protect her physical or mental health. It would also prevent the state from adopting or enforcing laws that would forbid access to the procedure.

Arizona House Speaker Ben Toma, a co-chair of the legislative council, said the group will appeal the court’s decision to the state Supreme Court.

  • @randon31415
    link
    31 month ago

    I’ve a very political continuous person - volunteer with democratic groups, do poll observing, research local Arizona ballot measures on the local news sites and ballotipedia, etc…

    I have not once seen any of these “informational pamphlets” out in the wild. Others said that they get them mailed to them, but I’ve never gotten one. I’ve seen sample ballots - but those don’t have for/against arguments, just the text of the measures. They can call them “sanctified holy pre-people to be saved from the baby meat-grider” and it wouldn’t really mater if no one ever reads it.