from States Newsroom
|
By Elisha Brown |
Melanie Folwell, lead organizer for the ballot initiative in Idaho to restore abortion access, speaks to supporters in July. The nonprofit she leads is suing the state over a final segment of ballot language that will also appear in the statewide voter pamphlet. (Photo by Kelcie Moseley-Morris/Stateline)
The group behind an initiative seeking to restore abortion access in Idaho is suing the state over language set to appear on the ballot and in voter pamphlets this fall.
Idahoans United for Women and Families, the nonprofit that drafted the proposed abortion-rights amendment, sued Idaho officials in state court last week, arguing that state materials explaining the ballot measure are misleading.
“There was a good-faith effort to try and reflect each of the sides of the pro and con statements that were submitted to us,” Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane told Stateline reproductive rights reporter Kelcie Moseley-Morris.
McGrane said the lawsuit needed to be sorted by mid-September, when voter pamphlets hit the printers and ballots are shipped to military and overseas voters.
A draft of the voter pamphlet states that a “no” vote would change Idaho law that “protects the life of the unborn while allowing abortion in reported cases of rape or incest, or when necessary to protect the life of the mother.
The “yes” language says the measure would “create reproductive rights, including a right to abortion before a fetus’ ability to survive and after a fetus’ ability to survive in cases of medical emergency, and provide liability protections for healthcare providers.”
The lawsuit contends that the “no” statement is unclear, while the “yes” language does not adequately describe fetal viability.
“In the two decades we’ve had a yes/no statement on the ballot, they’ve never looked like this,” Melanie Folwell, executive director for Idahoans United, said in a statement. “And it’s not because our initiative is longer or more complex than past initiatives.”
In recent years, legal challenges between Republican state officials opposed to abortion initiatives and reproductive rights advocates have played out in Arizona, Missouri, Montana and Ohio. Abortion-rights ballot measures ultimately prevailed in all four of those states.
THE BEAT
NATIONAL
Federal judge pauses case on mifepristone access until after midterm elections: A federal judge paused a lawsuit brought by the attorneys general of Florida and Texas that sought to revoke the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s approval of the abortion drug mifepristone. In granting the FDA’s request for a stay as it continues its safety review of mifepristone, the judge ruled that arguments in the case won’t be heard until at least Dec. 1. A similar challenge brought by Louisiana seeks to reinstate an in-person dispensation requirement for the key abortion medication; arguments in that case are set for Sept. 9 before the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. — Stateline
NATIONAL
More rural hospital closures would mean long drives for pregnant women seeking obstetric care: In 14 states, closures of rural hospitals or its maternity wards could lead Medicaid patients to drive an hour or more to give birth, according to a recent analysis. Federal funding cuts have led experts to suggest that labor and delivery units, already scarce in rural areas, are at risk of closing. “Anytime you increase the distance to delivery, you know the likelihood that it could result in poor outcomes increases,” said Brittni Frederiksen, a KFF researcher. — Stateline
NATIONAL
Democratic-led states sue Trump administration over family planning restrictions: A coalition of 23 Democratic attorneys generals filed a federal lawsuit last week against the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the agencies’ top officials over changes to funding requirements for the Title X federal family planning program. The AGs take issue with new requirements that applicants to the program’s funds align with the Trump administration’s priorities. The plaintiffs argue that those guidelines would discourage the use of birth control, bar transgender people from healthcare and gut diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives. — Maryland Matters
OHIO
Ohio Supreme Court rejects judge’s claim abortion amendment hinders job: Ohio’s high court dismissed a lawsuit from a judge who argued that the state’s reproductive rights amendment prevented him from doing his job. He contended that the amendment eliminated parental consent requirements for minors and made judicial bypass — the process when a minor petitions the court to get an abortion — moot. The state’s attorney general’s office and progressive advocacy groups all filed court documents countering the judge’s claims. — Ohio Capital Journal
KENTUCKY
With regulations approved, freestanding birth centers near a reality in Kentucky: A Kentucky legislative committee approved regulations Thursday that cleared the way for freestanding birth centers to operate. Birth centers are hospital alternatives for people with low-risk pregnancies, but the state effectively prohibited them from opening until the legislature passed a law in 2025 removing a certificate of need requirement. “This has been a long day coming,” said Republican state Rep. Jason Nemes, a major advocate for the centers. — Kentucky Lantern
An attendee of the Virginia March For Life in Richmond on April 22, 2026. A group that filed a lawsuit over the state’s reproductive rights measure said it will sue to nullify the measure if voters approve it. (Photo by Charlotte Rene Woods/Virginia Mercury)
VIRGINIA
If Virginia’s reproductive rights amendment passes, challengers say they’ll fight to overturn it in court: Conservatives suing over a reproductive rights ballot question Virginia voters are set to answer this fall said they are prepared to sue over the measure if it passes. Plaintiffs argue that the proposed constitutional amendment is misleading and would eliminate parental consent requirements for abortion. The measure would not override an existing state law that requires parental consent for procedures on minors, including abortions, barring judicial bypass. — Virginia Mercury
MISSOURI
Missouri labor unions, abortion rights groups turn unlikely alliance into ballot power: Over the past decade, Missouri abortion-rights advocates and labor organizers have joined forces to rally for ballot initiatives that repealed a right-to-work law, secured abortion rights, expanded Medicaid, adopted paid sick leave and approved a higher minimum wage, though the latter wins were overturned by the Republican-controlled legislature last year. The coalition’s next test comes in November, when voters will be asked to ban most abortions and gender-affirming care for minors. — Missouri Independent
Same crew.
Same great reporting.
Now twice a week.
Reproductive Rights Today hits your inbox on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
THE PULSE
TX: Moms who had children via surrogacy urge Texas to preserve the only way they could have families | The Texas Tribune
LA: Louisiana U.S. senator criticizes FDA oversight of abortion pill manufacturers | STAT News
MS: Mississippi healthcare providers work to reduce overdoses linked to maternal deaths | Mississippi Today
NY: New York City eyes new requirements for treatment of pregnant people in police custody | Gothamist
ABORTION ACCESS IN THE U.S.
Track state-level developments on reproductive rights anytime at News From The States. Send tips and thoughts to ✉️ [email protected], and follow her on Bluesky @elishabrown.
And if you enjoyed today's edition, forward this email to a friend.