Trial Canceled in North Dakota Abortion Ban Lawsuit

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — A trial set for August 26-30 regarding a lawsuit challenging North Dakota's abortion ban has been canceled as State District Judge Bruce Romanick deliberates on whether to dismiss the case entirely. The cancellation notice, issued on Monday, follows recent arguments from both the state and the plaintiffs, which include the Red River Women’s Clinic, the state’s only abortion provider prior to its relocation to Minnesota. Judge Romanick's notice indicated that he would provide "full findings on summary judgment and/or a new notice of trial" soon, while also staying pending trial deadlines. The reasons for the trial's cancellation remain unclear, and a spokesperson for the Center for Reproductive Rights, representing the plaintiffs, stated they had no further information at this time. North Dakota's abortion law classifies the procedure as a felony, with limited exceptions for the mother's health and in cases of rape or incest within the first six weeks of pregnancy. The plaintiffs argue that the law is unconstitutionally vague regarding its exceptions and that the health exception is overly restrictive. They are advocating for the trial to proceed to challenge the legality of the ban. The state has sought summary judgment to dismiss the lawsuit, asserting that the plaintiffs lack standing and that their arguments are based on hypothetical scenarios. The original lawsuit was filed in 2022, shortly after the U.S. Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.