Current:Home > NewsA lawsuit challenging a South Dakota abortion rights measure will play out after the election -Excel Wealth Summit
A lawsuit challenging a South Dakota abortion rights measure will play out after the election
Surpassing View
Date:2025-04-09 21:28:34
An anti-abortion group’s lawsuit to invalidate an abortion rights measure appearing on South Dakota’s statewide ballot won’t be resolved until after the November election.
Media reports of an apparent disconnect between attorneys and the Second Judicial Circuit over scheduling of the trial — initially set for Sept. 23-27 — led the court to issue an advisory with a timeline of judge assignments in the case. A hearing on the Life Defense Fund’s motion for summary judgment is now set for Dec. 2, weeks after the Nov. 5 election.
The release describes how, over about two weeks, the case was reassigned from Judge John Pekas after he learned of his wife’s need for surgery. However, the case then was assigned back to him after another judge was removed from the case.
In a statement, Life Defense Fund spokesperson Caroline Woods said both parties were surprised the trial was not going to happen next week.
“After an immense amount of preparation, Life Defense Fund is deeply disappointed that we are not allowed to provide our evidence to the court,” she said.
Dakotans for Health co-founder Rick Weiland said, “I think for us the bottom line is that through this whole process and just trying to stop the voters of South Dakota from weighing in, and they’ve been unsuccessful every step of the way, and now their hope was to have a trial during the height of the election, and that’s not going to happen. ... We’re going to have a vote, not a trial.”
Life Defense Fund alleged a mix of wrongdoing by petition circulators in its effort to kill the measure, which would place abortion rights in the state constitution.
South Dakota outlaws abortion as a felony crime, with the only exception to save the life of the mother, under a trigger ban that took effect in 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
South Dakota is one of nine states where voters will decide ballot measures enshrining abortion rights this fall. In all seven states where the issue has previously been on the ballot, voters have sided with abortion rights.
___
Dura reported from Bismarck, North Dakota.
veryGood! (2115)
Related
- Apple iOS 18.2: What to know about top features, including Genmoji, AI updates
- A woman in Ecuador was mistakenly declared dead. A doctor says these cases are rare
- Wildfire smoke is blanketing much of the U.S. Here's how to protect yourself
- Canada's record wildfire season continues to hammer U.S. air quality
- Senate begins final push to expand Social Security benefits for millions of people
- The 25 Best Amazon Deals to Shop on Memorial Day 2023: Air Fryers, Luggage, Curling Irons, and More
- What were the mysterious banging noises heard during the search for the missing Titanic sub?
- Two New Studies Add Fuel to the Debate Over Methane
- As Trump Enters Office, a Ripe Oil and Gas Target Appears: An Alabama National Forest
- Biden taps Mandy Cohen — former North Carolina health secretary — to lead CDC
Ranking
- Juan Soto praise of Mets' future a tough sight for Yankees, but World Series goal remains
- How to protect yourself from poor air quality
- These Are the Toughest Emissions to Cut, and a Big Chunk of the Climate Problem
- Afghan evacuee child with terminal illness dies while in federal U.S. custody
- South Korea's acting president moves to reassure allies, calm markets after Yoon impeachment
- How Canadian wildfires are worsening U.S. air quality and what you can do to cope
- Don’t Miss This $80 Deal on a $180 PowerXL 10-Quart Dual Basket Air Fryer
- Amazon Reviewers Swear By These 15 Affordable Renter-Friendly Products
Recommendation
Trump suggestion that Egypt, Jordan absorb Palestinians from Gaza draws rejections, confusion
FDA approves a new antibody drug to prevent RSV in babies
The 25 Best Amazon Deals to Shop on Memorial Day 2023: Air Fryers, Luggage, Curling Irons, and More
Hepatitis C can be cured. So why aren't more people getting treatment?
NHL in ASL returns, delivering American Sign Language analysis for Deaf community at Winter Classic
Bill Allowing Oil Exports Gives Bigger Lift to Renewables and the Climate
Kate Spade 24-Hour Flash Deal: Get This $300 Crossbody Bag for Just $69
In Dozens of Cities East of the Mississippi, Winter Never Really Happened