Overturning Roe Opens Door for Long-Dormant State Abortion Bans

Michigan’s abortion ban was passed in 1846, when the state was nine years old. In West Virginia, a ban dates back to 1848 and is a carryover from when there was only one Virginia.

Some abortion opponents argue such old bans would come back into effect if the U.S. Supreme Court overrules or severely limits Roe v. Wade, though already lawsuits are springing up on both sides. Politico reported Monday night that a leaked initial draft majority opinion, signed by Justice Samuel Alito, overturns the landmark ruling. In total, nine states have laws banning abortion that were passed before the 1973 decision, which made the choice to seek most abortions a constitutional right for women nationwide.