Florida Supreme Court approves abortion ballot measure, upholds 15-week ban

The Florida Supreme Court on Monday approved a ballot measure that would expand abortion access in the Sunshine State, though it also upheld an existing ban on the procedure after 15 weeks.

GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis signed the 15-week ban in April of 2022, though he subsequently adopted a six-week ban that was worded to take effect one month after a court upheld the 15-week ban.

That ban could potentially take effect beginning in May as a result of the Monday ruling, according to the Washington Post, but such a development could prove short-lived in light of the court's approval of the referendum.

The referendum ruling came on the court's April 1 deadline, The Hill reported. The measure will need 60% support to take effect under existing state requirements.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.