Alabama IVF ruling highlights importance of state supreme court races in this year’s US elections

The recent Alabama ruling designating frozen embryos as legally considered children has ignited a political firestorm and shifted the spotlight onto state supreme courts, setting the stage for contentious and expensive races in this election year. With the U.S. Supreme Court overturning the constitutional right to abortion in 2022, state supreme courts are now pivotal in deciding critical issues such as abortion, reproductive rights, gerrymandering, and voting rights.

The Alabama Supreme Court’s February 16 decision, categorizing frozen embryos from in vitro fertilization (IVF) as children under state law, has unexpectedly become a focal point in campaigns across the country. The ruling has prompted a pause in fertility treatments, leading to legislative pressure for a remedy. This development underscores the influence of state supreme courts in shaping policies with a direct impact on citizens’ lives.

In the upcoming elections, 80 state supreme court seats in 33 states are at stake, with highly contested races anticipated in states like Michigan, Ohio, and West Virginia. Several states, including Alabama, Arkansas, North Carolina, and Texas, will feature supreme court races on Super Tuesday. The decisions made by these courts will significantly impact future rulings on abortion, reproductive rights, and other critical matters.

Since the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022, numerous lawsuits challenging abortion bans have surfaced, with many reaching state supreme courts. These cases highlight the heightened importance of the composition of these courts, as liberals and conservatives vie for control to influence crucial decisions.

The trend extends beyond abortion rights, with state supreme courts becoming the ultimate authority on issues such as partisan gerrymandering and voting rights. As the U.S. Supreme Court steps back from certain rights protection, state supreme courts are thrust into the forefront of decision-making.

State courts are also instrumental in the process of bringing citizen initiatives to the ballot, particularly in the realm of reproductive rights. Florida, Missouri, and Nevada are expected to witness state supreme courts ruling on proposed abortion rights amendments this year.

In Ohio, where voters recently approved enshrining abortion rights in the state constitution, the Ohio Supreme Court will play a pivotal role in interpreting the constitutional amendment’s impact on existing abortion laws. This underscores the critical nature of state Supreme Court races in Ohio, where Democrats aim to flip the current Republican majority.

Wisconsin’s 2021 Supreme Court race, resulting in a liberal majority for the first time in 15 years, has already demonstrated the immediate impact of such elections. The court’s subsequent decision to overturn Republican-drawn legislative maps and order new district boundaries showcases the far-reaching consequences of state supreme court decisions.

In a year filled with critical state supreme court races, the outcomes will not only shape the future of abortion rights but also influence policies related to gerrymandering, environmental protections, and criminal justice. The significance of these races underscores the power that state supreme courts wield in reshaping the political landscape at the state level.