On Monday she had an abortion at Camelback Family Planning, one of the last abortion clinics in Arizona, in large part because Lemus feels like she can't afford to care for a child right now.
"I look at the world and it's not very pretty. I'm not ready for that yet, to bring a child into the world right now, where the economy is not OK," said Lemus, who added that she lived paycheck to paycheck. Some months, she has to choose between making her car payments and paying off her credit card debt. "Everybody's struggling, left and right," she said.
Lemus is registered to vote in Maricopa county, which is home to 60% of the Arizona electorate and may determine whether Kamala Harris or Donald Trump wins the valuable swing state. Harris has made access to reproductive rights a key part of her policy platform - particularly in contrast to Trump, who appointed three of the US supreme court justices who voted to overturn Roe v Wade and who has toggled between branding himself as a champion of reproductive rights and as "the most pro-life president".
Lemus is a passionate supporter of Harris, who she calls "my homegirl".
A majority of Americans had backed abortion access and Roe v Wade for decades, but it was rarely their top issue in the voting booth. Now that the supreme court has overturned Roe, clearing the way for more than a dozen states to ban almost all abortions and several more to ban it at six, 12 or - as in Arizona - 15 weeks, abortion may become the deciding issue of the 2024 election. It is now the most important issue for women under 45 such as Lemus.
Denne historien er fra November 06, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
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Denne historien er fra November 06, 2024-utgaven av The Guardian.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Amorim rewarded for keeping faith with his eternal optimist
This was a thrilling, bruising game, and even a very funny one at times.
Amorim's winter warmer
United manager hails side's mentality in thrilling draw
Referee 'not at Premier League level', says Silva
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Diallo grabs vital point as United step up at Anfield
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Australia make hay in Bumrah's absence to clinch series win
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Gauff turns tables on Swiatek before Fritz seals trophy for US
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Rybakina speaks out in defence of suspended coach Vukov
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Rangers drop points on road again despite Igamane treble
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