October 25, 2024
Arizona is important because a special measure on the voters’ ballot will decide whether abortion access is protected until about 24 weeks of pregnancy, up from the current 15 weeks.
Kamala Harris has made reproductive freedom a central issue of her campaign – one that she hopes will give her an edge with female voters on November 5.
Because for many voters – men and women alike – they are not only ticking the box for the president in ten days, but in ten countries they also get a say in abortion access too.
We traveled to one of those states – the swing state of Arizona – to test the temperature with women from the political side.
Arizona is important because a special measure on the voters’ ballot would decide whether abortion access is protected until about 24 weeks of pregnancy, up from the current 15 weeks.
Celina Martinez, of the organization Healthcare Rising, which got the abortion initiative on the ballot, organized volunteers in the Phoenix suburbs.
The main goal is to get voters to mark ‘Yes’ in the box and enshrine the right to abortion in the state constitution.
For Celina, it’s personal. She found out she was pregnant when she was 20 and in college.
“I can barely pay the rent. I can barely pay for food. So when I got pregnant, I knew I wasn’t ready to have a child. And I decided to make the difficult decision to end the pregnancy,” she said.
Celina said she wants a president who supports women’s reproductive freedom and that puts her in the Harris camp.
Asked if she believes women’s reproductive rights can give them the choice to vote, and nationally, Celina said: “So that’s what the polls show. And I hope, I strongly support elective officials who support their right to have access to abortion.
Celina is now 37 and has a nine-year-old son but says she is campaigning to protect rights for future generations.
Like the young women competing on the Sun Devils volleyball team, who faced Antelope, when we went to see them at the local state University.
This election must have many battle lines; back and forth through the economy, immigration, especially here at the border in Arizona, but ask young women what big decider for them? And for many, there is only one issue at play.
“Women should control themselves, I don’t think men or the government should talk about it,” said the young woman.
While another added “We’re not asking men to give up their voting rights, so I don’t think my rights should be on the table.”
This young woman is clear to Harris that in fact, the gender divide in this election means that women in America are more likely to vote for him.
However, cross the valley in Phoenix and there you go – Trump fans have been lining up since 7am in 30 degree temperatures, not for him but for his vice presidential pick, JD Vance.
Here’s to Harris. Many Trump supporters support some abortion rights, they just don’t want to go too far.
“Abortion is not prohibited, until the 15th week in Arizona, it’s legal, but they’re trying to extend it until the 24th week. I think it’s a bad idea,” said one of Trump’s supporters.
And others agreed: “I agree with women’s right to vote, but 15 weeks is fine. If you don’t know yet, bring it up.”
When asked about his views on Donald Trump in general, he said: “Love Donald Trump, really love him, I know he’s bombastic and he can be like that, but I don’t care, border security, low gas prices, I’m all for it,” and more? “What else,” she said off-hand.
Which perfectly describes the push and pull of this election.
Harris wants voters to believe in personal freedom – that democracy itself is on the line of this election.
For Trump, getting tough on immigration and a stronger economy are the only ways to bring America back.
Whoever wins that argument in 11 days will win the White House.