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Monday, Feb. 10, 2025

Was Minnesota the first state to codify the right to abortion after the overturn of Roe v. Wade?

Deanna Pistono, MinnPost
no

California and Michigan amended their constitutions to include the right to abortion after Roe was overturned on June 24, 2022, codifying or further codifying abortion into state law. Both of these amendments were the result of ballot propositions. California’s amendment passed on Nov. 27, 2022, while Michigan’s amendment passed on Nov. 8, 2022. Minnesota’s statutory right to abortion was signed into law by Gov. Tim Walz on Jan. 31, 2023. Minnesota was the first state to protect abortion via legislation after the overturn of Roe. 

According to the Center for Reproductive Rights, Minnesota, California and Michigan are included in 23 states, along with the District of Columbia, where the right to an abortion is protected in some way — via statute, constitutional amendment and/or past court decisions. Minnesota and California are also part of 11 states listed by the center as having “expanded access” to abortion, along with protection.

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