Arkansas Takes Top Spot as the Most Pro-Life State
Arkansas has been named the "Most Pro-Life State in America" for the fifth year in a row by Americans United for Life (AUL). AUL, an anti-abortion law firm and advocacy group based in Washington, D.C., released its "Life List 2025" last week, which ranks "life-affirming" states' laws and policies on matters such as abortion, assisted suicide, and conscience protections.
According to The Christian Post, Arkansas topped the annual list, followed by Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Indiana. Meanwhile, Tennessee, ranked 13th on the list, moved up to No. 6, and Alabama dropped to 16th place after being previously 10th.
Vermont came in 50th place among the least pro-life states in the country, followed by New Jersey at No. 49, Oregon at No. 48, Washington at No. 47, Hawaii at No. 46, and New York at No. 45.
"This past legislative session, the pro-life movement faced many challenges, including pro-abortion ballot initiatives and legislation targeting pregnancy resource centers. However, several states stood firm in their courageous defense and advocacy for life," AUL stated.
"Unfortunately, there was a significant dip in the number of life-affirming protections passed this year. Last year, the pro-life movement was successful in enacting at least 59 life-affirming laws. This year, only 41 pro-life bills and resolutions have been passed."
In a statement released last week, Jerry Cox, founder and president of the Arkansas Family Council, celebrated the finding for his state.
"More than a decade ago, Family Council joined with Arkansas Right to Life and others in setting out to make Arkansas the most pro-life state in America. By working together, we have done that," wrote Cox.
"Keeping Arkansas the most pro-life state will take constant effort. As a pro-life leader, Arkansas has done important work, but we can't stop. There is more pro-life work to do. We look forward to continuing that work when the Arkansas Legislature convenes next week."
In a 4-3 decision last August, the Arkansas Supreme Court ruled against a petition by Arkansans for Limited Government for a referendum on the November ballot that, if approved, would have enshrined abortion under specific conditions as a state constitutional right.
Justice Rhonda Wood, who authored the majority opinion, concluded that "the petitioners failed to comply with the statutory filing requirements for paid canvassers" and, therefore, did not legitimately collect enough signatures for the petition.
"That statute was inapplicable to volunteer canvassers. As such, we ordered [Arkansas Secretary of State John Thurston] to count the signatures from volunteer canvassers, but we do not order him to count the signatures from paid canvassers," Wood wrote.
"Because the number of the initial count of signatures fails to meet the facial validity threshold required by law, we deny further relief."
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Michael B. Thomas/Stringer
Originally published January 13, 2025.
