In rare 3-3 decision, Iowa Supreme Court declines to reinstate law largely banning abortion

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A bid by Iowa Republican Gov. Kim Reynolds to reinstate the state’s strict ban on most abortions has failed in the state Supreme Court.

In a rare 3-3 split decision Friday, the court upheld a 2019 district court ruling that blocked the law. The outcome distinguishes Iowa from more than a dozen states across the country that severely limit access to abortion, at least for now.

The ruling doesn’t preclude Reynolds and lawmakers from passing a new law restricting abortion, however. Currently, abortions are allowed in Iowa up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Writing for the three justices who denied the state’s request to reinstate the law, Justice Thomas Waterman said granting that request would mean bypassing the legislature, changing the standard for how the court reviews laws and then dissolving an injunction.

The court has seven members but one justice declined to participate because her former law firm had represented an abortion provider.