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As state legislatures wind down for the summer, a key storyline has emerged from the fallout of reversing Roe v. Wade almost a year ago: Abortion bans imperil our democracy and are an important tool for conservatives’ attempts to usher in a new age of Christian nationalism.

It’s apparent all across the country. Nebraska, North Carolina, and Ohio are only the most recent examples in a year filled with abortion bans rocketing through statehouses. Conservative lawmakers bent or broke pretty much every remaining democratic norm to advance their anti-abortion, pro-facism agenda. And despite the fact that abortion remains more popular than the Supreme Court, we’re about to enter into a Republican presidential primary where banning it nationwide is a top policy priority.

Just look at the current crop of announced candidates. Everyone from Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis to former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley to former Vice President Mike Pence has a deep record of not only opposing bodily autonomy but also widespread democratic participation. This is a theme we’ll be returning to for the next year, at least.

Our upcoming Special Issue, “Dobbs: One Year Later,” explores the deep damage that the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision unleashed on our democracy. The editorial package, which we’re publishing next week ahead of the anniversary of the decision, goes beyond the upheaval of abortion access to look at how the lawlessness of that decision has infected and spread to other parts of our society. We also have a very special guest joining the Boom! Lawyered podcast who you won’t want to miss.

I hope you’ll check out all of our content next week.