Judge issues injunction to block enforcement of Michigan abortion ban

An Oakland County judge has issued an injunction that continues to block enforcement of Michigan’s 1931 law that bans abortions in most cases.

The ruling converts a temporary restraining order into a slightly more durable preliminary injunction that allows abortion care to continue in the state while legal challenges and a ballot campaign play out.

Judge Jacob Cunningham said the 1931 law appears to violate rights to due process.

And he said Governor Gretchen Whitmer is likely to prevail in her claim that abortion rights in Michigan are protected under the state constitution.

Cunningham also noted an abortion rights proposal could appear on the November ballot and said the public should be given the chance to decide the question. The campaign behind that proposal submitted more than 750,000 signatures to get the proposed measure on the ballot. Just over 425,000 valid signatures are required.