The Arizona Supreme Court affirmed one of the nation’s strictest abortion bans from 1864 in a decision that generated debate on April 9.

When Democratic Attorney General Kris Mayes promptly said that she would not be prosecuting women or providers under the “draconian law,” she received both praise and criticism.

Politicians from all parties pushed the state legislature to act after the court’s ruling, intensifying calls for the statute to be repealed. President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump both weighed in with differing opinions.

Senate Votes for Repeal

A huge success for the Democrat-led campaign to overturn the antiquated legislation was achieved when the Arizona Senate decided to repeal the 1864 abortion ban.

Two Republicans voted with Senate Democrats to repeal the bill, demonstrating the bill’s support among both parties.

The contentious abortion prohibition was officially lifted when Democratic Governor Katie Hobbs signed the repeal bill into law.

Enacted during the Civil War era, the legislation forbade abortions beginning at the moment of conception, with no exceptions for rape or incest.

Uncertain Timeline

Even with the repeal, it’s still unclear when exactly it will be put into effect.

The Arizona Constitution states that laws take effect ninety days after the end of the legislative session; hence, access to abortion remains uncertain in the future.

Abortion rights activists who have long opposed the restrictive law consider the elimination of the 1864 abortion ban to be a major triumph.