Arizona Republicans are eyeing a ballot measure aimed at making illegal immigration unlawful under state law. State Republican leaders hope the move will galvanize their base ahead of the November elections. Arizona Democrats, meanwhile, are pushing a ballot measure that would expand abortion rights in the state with the same aim of boosting their party base’s turnout.
The state Senate is expected to vote Wednesday on the proposal, which has already cleared the House and must secure the support of all 16 GOP senators to advance to the ballot. Inspired by Texas‘ SB 4 and Arizona’s own 2010 SB 1070, the measure, however, faces some opposition from within the Republican Party.
An amendment addressing Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program recipients has divided GOP senators. State Sen. Ken Bennett (R) has voiced opposition due to its implications for DACA recipients, raising uncertainty about whether the Republicans have the necessary votes for passage.
If the measure advances, it could serve as a focal point to motivate Republican voter turnout, similar to how the anticipated ballot amendment on abortion rights is expected to energize Democratic voters. Republican political consultant Chuck Coughlin emphasized the strategic intent to tap into public frustration over immigration to drive dissatisfied voters to the polls. Democrats in the state legislature, however, are blasting the move.
“Republicans know they are losing on abortion, so they decided to at the last minute change the rules to put this incredibly egregious anti-immigrant ballot measure up for a vote to be sent to the voters,” state Representative Analise Hernandez (D) said in a post on the Chinese–controlled social media app, TikTok.