What would the end of Roe v. Wade mean for abortion in NC? Six things you need to know

The United States Supreme Court is considering whether to overturn Roe vs. Wade, the 1973 ruling that established the women have a constitutional right to get abortions, and on Monday, the Politico news outlet reported that a majority of the justices are tracking to do that.

It should be noted that this is not a final decision.

But if Roe is overturned, what would that mean for abortion in North Carolina? Below are six things to know:

Learn more in depth: Would overturn of Roe v. Wade end abortion in North Carolina? How soon?

Other states are banning abortion. What would happen to abortion law in North Carolina?

For the most part, abortion is not expected to become illegal in North Carolina this year.

The state has a Republican-majority legislature that has attempted to pass laws to restrict abortion, but it also has a Democratic governor, Roy Cooper, who has vetoed anti-abortion legislation and who late on Monday on Twitter reiterated his support for abortion rights.

But there is one key thing that is likely to change with abortion in North Carolina: It likely will become illegal after the 20th week of pregnancy.

Trigger law: In Tennessee, abortion would automatically become illegal if Roe vs. Wade is overturned.

South Carolina: Ban on abortion after 6 weeks of pregnancy could take effect with Supreme Court ruling

Georgia: Republicans applaud possible repeal of Roe v. Wade, Democrats call for federal protections

Why could abortion become illegal after 20 week in North Carolina?

State law prohibits abortion abortion after 20 weeks of gestation, but that law was blocked by a federal lawsuit — it is unconstitutional — so it is not being enforced.

If the Supreme Court overturns Roe vs. Wade, the 20-week law could become constitutional and North Carolina could then begin enforcing it.

You said abortion is unlikely to be banned this year in NC — what about next year?

If Roe vs. Wade is overturned, the 2022 elections to the N.C. General Assembly will determine whether abortion will be restricted or banned in 2023, said both supporters and opponents of abortion rights.

The Republicans are working hard to get veto-proof majorities election cycle so they can no longer be checked-and-balanced by a Democratic governor when they take office in 2023. A veto-proof majority is at least 30 seats in the 50-seat Senate and at least 72 seats in the 120-member House of Representatives.

And as the Republicans in the 1970s and 1980s made their party the political home of the anti-abortion movement and continue to do so today, they likely would pursue bills to curtail abortion.

If GOP can’t get veto-proof majorities in both chambers following the 2022 elections, the Republicans next real chance to roll back or ban abortion in North Carolina will be in the 2024 elections, when they will try to elect a Republican governor while maintaining majority control of the General Assembly.

What do North Carolinians think about abortion?

According to a poll published conducted in late April by Meredith University, nearly 62% of North Carolinians want abortion to remain legal, although most also want some limits and they disagree on those.

Specifically:

► 10% of those surveyed said abortion should never be allowed.

► 19.7% said abortion should be allowed only in instances in which the pregnancy endangers the mother’s life, or if she is the victim of rape or incest.

► 9.1% said it should be legal until the 15th week of pregnancy.

► 27.0% said it should be freely available until the 22nd week, with restrictions after.

► 25.6% said there should be no restrictions on abortion.

Meredith’s researchers surveyed 1225 people April 25 to 27 and said the survey has a margin of error of 2.7% above and below its results.

How many abortions are performed in North Carolina?

According to statistics collected by the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, there were 30,004 abortions conducted in North Carolina in 2020, which is the most-recent year for which the data is available.

Of the, 25,058 were for North Carolina residents and 4,946 for out-of-state residents.

Where can people get abortions in North Carolina?

The Department of Health and Human Services lists 15 clinics that provide abortion care across the state.

There is one in Asheville, two in Fayetteville, one in Wilmington, one in Durham, two in Winston-Salem, one in Greensboro, four in Charlotte, one in Chapel Hill and two in Raleigh.

Senior North Carolina reporter Paul Woolverton can be reached at 910-261-4710 and pwoolverton@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on The Fayetteville Observer: Six things you need to know about the future of abortion laws in NC