On Wednesday, Gov. Roy Cooper, a Democrat, solidified North Carolina’s unique spot in the South. He signed an executive order focused on abortion rights.
What You Need To Know
While North Carolina has restrictions, abortion remains legal
Many Southern states have tighter restrictions or abortion bans in place
Gov. Roy Cooper signed an executive order focused on abortion rights
“I will never back down when women’s health is on the line,” Cooper said.
While North Carolina has restrictions, abortion remains legal. That’s contrary to many other states in the South, which have tighter restrictions or a ban in place.
“This is the safe haven, or the last resort, or a safe state,” Davidson College Professor of Political Science Susan Roberts said.
Planned Parenthood South Atlantic said it’s already seeing a surge in women from out of state. With Cooper’s executive order, those numbers are likely to grow.
The order increases protections for people seeking an abortion and protects providers from facing legal action from states banning the procedure.
Other Democratic governors, including Kathy Hochul of New York, have enacted similar protections.
Governors in red states though are doing the opposite by tightening restrictions or imposing abortion bans. That’s created a patchwork of what’s allowed and not allowed around the country. It comes after the Supreme Court ruled women no longer have a constitutional right to the procedure.
“The majority of Americans, the vast majority, didn’t realize … what kind of patchwork quilt it is,” Roberts said. “And I think there is chaos at abortion clinics, but there’s also a great deal of confusion.”
While the Biden Administration put in place some protections since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, the president’s options are limited.
“I think he’s got to work with, what the president is supposed to work with, and that’s the bully pulpit, the power of persuasion. ... I don’t think there’s anything he can do directly that can change what is now a state issue,” Roberts said.
While abortion remains legal in North Carolina, it’s on shaky ground.
If Republicans win a few more seats in the state legislature they could have enough votes to override Cooper’s veto power.
“Can Dobbs be the issue that moves the needle in terms of increasing turnout? That remains to be seen,” Roberts said.
That puts a divisive issue front and center this November.