CRIME & LAW

Wyoming court strikes down explicit abortion bans, pills

PUBLISHED Jan 6, 2026, 12:51 PM ET

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Wyoming court strikes down explicit abortion bans, pills

Media Bias Meter

Sources: 7

Center 86%

Right 14%

Sources: 7

Cheyenne, Wyoming. The state Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that two laws banning abortion, including the nation's first explicit pill ban, violate Wyoming's constitution and therefore cannot take effect. The court sided with Wellspring Health Access, Chelsea's Fund and four women who cited a 2012 health-care amendment protecting competent adults' decisions. State attorneys argued abortion is not health care. Governor Mark Gordon urged a voter constitutional amendment. Separately, Ohio lawmakers have proposed restrictive bills despite a November 2023 amendment protecting abortion rights. Based on 6 articles reviewed and supporting research.

By Sidra | JQJO News

Timeline of Events

2012 — Wyoming voters approve constitutional amendment protecting competent adults’ health-care decisions.
2022 — U.S. Supreme Court overturns Roe v. Wade, prompting state-level abortion laws.
2023 — Wyoming enacts the Life is a Human Right Act and a chemical abortion ban.
November 2023 — Ohio voters approve a state constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights.
Recent — Wyoming Supreme Court issues a 4-1 opinion striking down the 2023 Wyoming abortion bans.

Media Bias

Articles Published:: 7
Right Leaning:: 1
Left Leaning:: 0
Neutral:: 6
Distribution:: Left 0%, Center 86%, Right 14%

Who Benefited

Patients seeking abortion services in Wyoming retain legal access after the court invalidated the two bans, preserving both clinic-based care and medication abortion availability.

Who Impacted

State officials and anti-abortion advocates face legal and political setbacks after the Wyoming Supreme Court invalidated laws they supported and may need to pursue a constitutional amendment or further litigation.