Florida upholds 15-week abortion ban

The Florida Supreme Court on Monday decided to uphold the 2022 ban on most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy, allowing a separate 2023 six-week ban to take effect in 30 days.

But voters will have their say. In a separate decision, the court allowed a ballot measure, which will let Floridians decide in November if abortion rights should be enshrined in the state’s constitution.

The decision is expected to have political ramifications, potentially influencing voter turnout in the upcoming elections.

Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed five of the court’s seven justices. Their decisions come amid a broader trend in Republican-controlled states adopting strict abortion bans following the US Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade.