Internal document shows Arizona Republicans are considering new abortion ballot measures

• GOP leadership in both chambers blocked votes to repeal the ban last Wednesday, which would have allowed a 2022 15-week ban to go into effect.
• Legislative Democrats plan to try again this week.

Zoom in: A presentation drafted by House Republicans' legal counsel, obtained by Axios and other outlets, proposes three ballot measures across a two-pronged strategy, the first of which it described as "complementary" to the abortion rights initiative.

• However, that proposal would ask voters to preserve the Legislature's ability to regulate abortion, which would be taken out of lawmakers' hands by the abortion rights measure.
• It would also codify existing laws such as a prohibition on abortions based on a baby's race or sex and so-called partial-birth abortions.
• It wouldn't limit abortions to a specific time period or establish a right to one.

Secondly, the presentation proposes lawmakers refer two other measures to the ballot, which would conflict with the existing initiative.

• The move would effectively offer voters three different abortion regulation options in November.
• One of these Republican proposals would limit abortions to the first day of the 15th week of pregnancy (which the presentation described as "a 14-week law disguised as a 15-week law"), with exceptions for health of the mother or fatal fetal abnormalities.
• The second, dubbed the Heartbeat Protection Act, would limit abortions to six weeks, except those considered medically necessary or in cases of rape or incest.

Flashback: The abortion rights initiative proposes permitting abortions to the point of fetal viability, generally around 24 weeks.

• Abortions would, however, be allowed past that point to "protect the life or physical or mental health" of the mother.

Between the lines: The GOP lawyer argues these new measures would change the narrative and show Republicans have a plan on abortion.

• It could also pull votes from the abortion rights initiative and put Democrats "in a defensive position to argue against partial-birth abortions, discriminatory abortions and other basic protections," per the presentation.

What they're saying: In a statement to Axios, House Speaker Ben Toma (R-Glendale) said the document outlines ideas for internal caucus discussion.

• "I've publicly stated that we are looking at options to address this subject, and this is simply part of that," he said.
• Toma opposes repealing the 1864 ban and said last week that lawmakers shouldn't rush to vote on it.

The other side: Arizona for Abortion Access, the abortion rights initiative campaign, called the Republicans' proposals a "dishonest attempt to refer multiple competing abortion bans to the November ballot."

• "This shows yet again why Arizonans can't leave our most basic and personal rights in the hands of politicians," the campaign said in a press statement.
• Co-House Minority Whip Nancy Gutierrez (D-Tucson) said Republicans are trying to "muddy the water" and confuse voters, and the leaked document shows why the Legislature should vote for a clean repeal of the ban.

What we're watching: The House and Senate reconvene Wednesday.

• Senate President Warren Petersen told the Arizona Mirror his caucus had not met to discuss the plan.

The intrigue: The proposal leaked after the attorney who drafted it accidentally sent it to every member of the chamber rather than just Republicans, according to the Mirror.