BREAKING: Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs Signs Repeal Of 1864 Abortion Law

On Thursday, Gov. Katie Hobbs (D-AZ) signed a bill repealing an 1864 law that banned nearly all abortion in the state after the state Supreme Court ruled last month that the 19th-century law must go into effect. The legislation has been a rallying cry for Democrats in recent weeks who are attempting to put an abortion referendum on the November ballot. The legislation passed narrowly through both chambers of the state legislature.

The repeal of the law will revert Arizona's abortion law back to the 15-week ban introduced by former Gov. Doug Ducey (R-AZ). The pre-statehood law faced considerable backlash not only from Democrats but also from some Republicans, with GOP senatorial candidate Kari Lake (R-AZ) speaking out against the state Supreme Court's decision.  "I am the only woman and mother in this race. I understand the fear and anxiety of pregnancy, and the joy of motherhood. I wholeheartedly agree with President Trump - this is a very personal issue that should be determined by each individual state and her people," Lake said last month. "I oppose today's ruling, and I am calling on Katie Hobbs and the State Legislature to come up with an immediate common sense solution that Arizonans can support. Ultimately, Arizona voters will make the decision on the ballot come November."

During the bill signing, Gov. Hobbs reiterated her support for abortion, saying, "This ban needs to be repealed. I said it in 2022 when Roe was overturned, and I've said it again and again as governor." The Democrat governor also thanked the Senate for passing the legislation, which needed 16 votes to pass. "I'm glad to see the Senate answered my call and voted to repeal the 1864 total abortion ban. While this is essential to protecting women's health, it is just the beginning. I will never stop fighting for women's reproductive freedoms."

Hobbs' repeal of the law isn't the end of the abortion issue in the Copper State, however. The organization, Arizona for Abortion Access, has reportedly gathered enough signatures to get a referendum on the ballot in November that would, if passed, allow abortion up to 24 weeks. According to NBC News, the group has collected over 506,892 signatures and has until July 3 to submit them to the secretary of state's office.

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