December 22, 2023
A split Ninth Circuit panel sided with Washington state on Friday by declining to revive a constitutional challenge to its 2021 COVID-19 vaccine mandate for state workers, saying the governor's interest in curbing the disease was enough to defeat claims it violated their religious freedom.
September 14, 2023
A Ninth Circuit panel appeared open Thursday to reviving two lawsuits opposing Washington state's COVID-19 vaccine mandates for state and health care workers, with one judge noting he was "deeply troubled" that unvaccinated workers were allegedly fired after receiving "sham" religious exemptions, and saying the challenge has "some legs."