# State Supreme Court Races Decide Abortion and Trans Rights

> State supreme court races could decide abortion access and trans rights in 2026.
- Title: State Supreme Court Races Decide Abortion and Trans Rights
- Summary: State supreme court races could decide abortion access and trans rights in 2026. State supreme court judges will determine abortion restrictions and…
- Keywords: state supreme court, abortion access, transgender rights, 2026 midterms, judicial elections, reproductive health, state law, science, ideas, State, Supreme, Court
- Source: The Conversation — https://theconversation.com/these-state-supreme-court-races-could-decide-abortion-access-and-trans-rights-292881
- Author: Rachel Rebouché
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: state supreme court, abortion access, transgender rights, 2026 midterms, judicial elections, reproductive health, state law, science, ideas
## State supreme court races
Thirty-one states hold supreme court elections in 2026 with voters picking judges for over 60 open seats.
## Abortion law decisions
State supreme court judges will interpret whether state constitutions protect abortion rights or prohibit restrictions.
## Transgender healthcare cases
State courts may uphold bans on gender-affirming care for transgender minors after Skrmetti ruling.
## Skrmetti ruling impact
The Skrmetti decision allows states with similar bans to enforce them without higher judicial review.
## Montana judicial races
Montana’s judicial races could shift the state’s top court from a pro-abortion to conservative majority.
## North Carolina elections
North Carolina’s Supreme Court could become nearly all Republican if incumbent Democrat Anita Earls loses.
## Michigan judicial races
Michigan’s Supreme Court may retain abortion protections if Democrats keep their 6-1 majority.
## Ohio Supreme Court
Ohio’s Supreme Court could become a unanimous conservative bench if Democratic justice Jennifer Brunner loses.
## What happens next
State supreme court judges will write the next chapter of U.S. law on abortion and trans rights.
## Key takeaway

State supreme court judges will determine abortion restrictions and transgender healthcare access in 2026 elections.