A document that appears to be from the Supreme Court was leaked, indicating that the court plans to overturn Roe v. Wade.

This is not the first time that rumors have circulated about the Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade. However, this document appears to be legitimate and if it is true, it will allow individual states to determine abortion rights. The 1973 decision made abortion a constitutional right for women in the United States and the draft has sent shockwaves across the nation. The decision protected women’s rights to an abortion up to the point where a fetus can survive outside the womb which is approximately 24 weeks. The ruling is regarded as one of America’s most controversial and has been challenged many times throughout history.

The document drafted by Justice Samuel Alito is a 98-page document with over 118 footnotes on abortion laws. Alito writes “Roe was egregiously wrong from the start, its reasoning was exceptionally weak, and the decision has had damaging consequences.”

The drafted opinion states Roe v Wade “must be overruled” and that we must “return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives.” The majority of the justices would have come to the same viewpoint as Alito prior to the document being drafted. After the vote has been tallied a justice is assigned to draft the document which is then sent around for edits. It is possible that the document could undergo changes and could even have votes changed prior to the court’s final ruling.

The leak is being regarded as highly unusual with one correspondent saying it would be “the worst security breach in the Supreme Court’s history. It’s unknown who and how the document was leaked, one theory suggests a clerk who leaked the document with hopes of creating public pressure.

The nation is divided on the controversial topic and opinions run the gamut from completely banning abortions to keeping abortions as constitutional rights. Some leaders started speaking out about the leak and what the future holds for abortions in America.

Some were happy about the possibility of Roe v Wade being overturned.

This unprecedented leak is concerning, outrageous and a blatant attempt to manipulate the sacred procedures of the U.S. Supreme Court. Those responsible should be held accountable. My prayer is that Roe v. Wade is overturned and that life prevails. #alpolitics (1/2)

— Governor Kay Ivey (@GovernorKayIvey) May 3, 2022

While some leaders completely opposed the idea.

We’re not going to wait around for our rights to be stripped away. We’re taking action to protect the #RightToChoose here in #California. #RoeVsWade pic.twitter.com/wS1nTWDNat

— Anthony Rendon (@Rendon63rd) May 3, 2022

In light of the reported decision of the Supreme Court to overturn Roe v. Wade, CO remains a state where freedom is respected and where any person has the ability to live, work, thrive, and raise a family on their own terms. pic.twitter.com/kqz75vEJ8J

— Governor Jared Polis (@GovofCO) May 3, 2022

What is certain is the draft in question is one of the most controversial drafts in the court’s history as it continues to divide opinions. How the document was leaked will certainly be the topic that should be addressed first with one outlet calling it the “most unforgivable sin.” It has caused utter chaos and panic with protesters immediately setting up outside the supreme court.

If Roe v Wade is overturned, America would be one in four countries to take away women’s abortion rights. It’s estimated that 26 states are expected to move quickly with their own individual abortion laws if the final ruling aligns with the leaked document. The final ruling is expected to be announced in July.