Wyoming Supreme Court hears oral arguments in appeal of high-profile abortion case

CHEYENNE — A small group of abortion rights protesters gathered outside the Wyoming State Supreme Court on Wednesday as the court prepared to hear oral arguments in the appeal of a high-profile abortion case.
Justices heard arguments in Wyoming v. Johnson, a case in which the appellees claim the state’s abortion bans violate state constitutional rights, including rights to equality, due process, freedom of religion and access to health care.
The lawsuit was first filed in 2022 after state lawmakers passed a series of laws targeting abortion, including a “trigger” ban on abortions across the state, with exceptions to protect the life of the mother and in cases of sexual assault or incest. It was brought by Wyoming reproductive-age women, OB-GYNs, Wellspring Health Access (the state’s sole abortion clinic in Casper) and Chelsea’s Fund, a nonprofit that financially helps pregnant people access an abortion.