**Arizona Abortion-Rights Measure Faces Complex Voter Dynamics as 2024 Election Nears**

As the 2024 elections approach, progressives in Arizona express concern that a ballot measure for abortion rights is not giving Democratic candidates the critical boost they need. Voters in key suburban areas around Phoenix and Tucson are indicating to canvassers and pollsters that they plan to overturn the state's existing 15-week abortion ban. Interestingly, many of these same voters also support Republican figures like former President Donald Trump and Senate candidate Kari Lake, both known for opposing abortion rights.

Some voters, such as Kathy Petsas, a lifelong Republican from Arizona, exemplify this trend of ticket splitting. While Petsas has supported Trump in previous elections and plans to vote for several conservative candidates, she strongly favors the state's abortion-rights measure. For her, the issue is rooted in a fundamental conservative principle: the right to privacy.

The internal debate within Arizona has broader implications for control of both Congress and the White House. Despite record-high support for abortion rights following the fall of Roe v. Wade, which helped Democrats avoid an anticipated red wave in 2022, Democrats find that support does not always translate into votes for their candidates. A Harris campaign official noted that the ballot measure and Democratic victories together are essential to safeguarding abortion access, but acknowledged that getting voters to align their votes on both issues remains challenging.

Polling indicates that the abortion-rights measure is likely to pass, but the presidential race in Arizona is a tightly contested battle. A poll of Arizona women voters by the nonpartisan health care think tank KFF revealed that while many voters support abortion rights, this is just one of several factors influencing their choice of candidate. For example, among Hispanic women voters, a significant majority expressed willingness to vote for candidates who do not share their views on abortion.

State Attorney General Kris Mayes emphasized that public outrage over Roe v. Wade’s fall played a crucial role in Arizona Democrats’ narrow victories in 2022. She believes that the experience of living under a 15-week abortion ban will impact voter decisions even more in 2024. Yet, activists like Chris Love from Planned Parenthood warn against placing too much responsibility on the ballot measure alone to drive Democratic turnout.

As election day nears, both Republican and Democratic strategists are paying close attention to how Arizona voters navigate this complex landscape. With efforts from both sides to educate and mobilize voters, the final results in Arizona could hinge on how effectively each party can align their broader campaign goals with the specific issue of abortion rights.