A recent ruling by a state court judge ensures that an abortion-rights question will appear on South Dakota's November ballot. Judge John Pekas dismissed a lawsuit from the anti-abortion group Life Defense Fund, which aimed to remove the question despite sufficient valid signatures from supporters.

"This ruling upholds the right of South Dakotans to vote on this crucial issue," stated Adam Weiland, co-founder of Dakotans for Health, in response to the decision. "It marks yet another defeat for a minority group opposing women's choices in cases of rape, incest, or when the mother's health is at risk."

Republican Rep. Jon Hansen, a co-chair of Life Defense Fund, and the group's attorney did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Associated Press.

South Dakota, one of 14 states now enforcing a complete ban on abortion throughout pregnancy, faces a pivotal moment following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, thereby ending nationwide abortion rights.

The proposed amendment supported by Dakotans for Health aims to prevent state interference in a woman's abortion decision during the first trimester, with limited regulation allowed in the second trimester only for the physical health of the woman.

Since the Roe decision was overturned, all statewide abortion-related ballot measures have aligned with the objectives of abortion-rights advocates.

This year, similar ballot questions are slated for five states, alongside a New York proposal to prohibit discrimination based on "pregnancy outcomes" and other criteria.

Advocates in four additional states, including Nebraska, are awaiting verification of signatures to potentially add abortion-related questions to this year's ballot, possibly leading to competing measures on abortion rights.