Gov. Gretchen Whitmer strikes 1931 abortion ban from Michigan law
A near-century old abortion ban that fueled one of the largest ballot drives in Michigan history was repealed Wednesday by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, just months after voters enshrined abortion rights in the state's constitution. "No one is going to restrict our reproductive rights and freedom in this state. No one," Whitmer said at a bill signing outside Detroit. The 1931 abortion ban, which made it a four-year felony to assist in an abortion, long had been dormant before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June. Courts blocked the ban from taking effect while a citizen-led initiative to enshrine abortion rights in the state’s constitution received more signatures than any other ballot proposal in state history. Voters overwhelmingly approved the proposal in last November’s midterms, making the 1931 law unconstitutional and unenforceable.
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When an audience member at a Tucson Festival of Books presentation Sunday asked if Democrats should put a woman at the top of the ticket again in 2028, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer replied, "Hell yes, right?," prompting loud applause.
