Montana’s Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that minors don’t need their parents’ permission to get an abortion in the state – agreeing with a lower court ruling that found the parental consent law violates the privacy clause in the state constitution.
“We conclude that minors, like adults, have a fundamental right to privacy, which includes procreative autonomy and making medical decisions affecting his or her bodily integrity and health in partnership with a chosen health care provider free from governmental interest,” Justice Laurie McKinnon wrote in the unanimous opinion.
The ruling comes as an initiative to ask voters if they want to protect the right to a pre-viability abortion in the state constitution is expected to be on the Montana ballot in November. County officials have verified enough signatures to qualify the issue for the ballot, supporters have said. The Secretary of State’s Office has to certify the general election ballots by Aug. 22.
Montana has been deeply red for many decades like most rural areas. Racism also runs very deep in the state.
Over the past 30 years the population has been becoming more urban. People who live in urban areas are voting overwhelmingly blue in the state.
As the urban areas continue to grow the politics of the state will change as well.
The Republicans will have to resort to voter suppression like they do in other states to maintain their power.