BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)

— A North Dakota judge is deliberating whether to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the state's abortion ban, with arguments presented in court on Tuesday. The state contends that the plaintiffs' case is based on hypothetical scenarios, while the plaintiffs assert that significant issues warrant a trial scheduled for August. State District Judge Bruce Romanick indicated he would issue a ruling promptly but questioned the plaintiffs' attorney about the trial's potential impact. The lawsuit was initiated by the Red River Women’s Clinic, which relocated from Fargo to Moorhead, Minnesota, following the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade in 2022. In response to the lawsuit, North Dakota's Republican-led Legislature revised the state's abortion laws in 2023. The plaintiffs subsequently filed an amended complaint, supported by medical professionals in obstetrics and gynecology, challenging the legality of the state's abortion restrictions. Currently, North Dakota classifies abortion as a felony, allowing exceptions only to prevent the mother's death or serious health risks, as well as in cases of rape or incest within six weeks of pregnancy. Special Assistant Attorney General Dan Gaustad argued that the plaintiffs lack legal standing and that a trial would not yield new information. Conversely, Meetra Mehdizadeh from the Center for Reproductive Rights emphasized the need for a trial to clarify how the law affects medical treatment in complex pregnancy situations. As abortion remains a contentious issue, it is expected to play a significant role in upcoming elections, with ballot measures related to abortion rights appearing in at least six states.