In a critical move for reproductive rights in Missouri, the state Supreme Court ruled that a proposed amendment to enshrine abortion access in the state constitution will be put before voters this November. This decision arrives at a pivotal time, marking the first opportunity in over two years for Missouri residents to vote on the restoration of abortion rights, which have been strictly limited since the state’s current ban went into effect.
The proposal, which would allow abortions until fetal viability—typically around 24 weeks of pregnancy—gathered momentum after organizers secured over 250,000 petition signatures, a threshold confirmed by the secretary of state’s office. This ruling follows a legal challenge from anti-abortion advocates, who argued that the ballot language didn’t fully disclose the consequences of the measure’s passage. Their arguments were ultimately dismissed by the state’s highest court, overturning a lower court’s decision.
Advocates for the amendment, including Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, celebrated the ruling as a win for both direct democracy and reproductive rights in the state. On the other side, critics like attorney Mary Catherine Martin, who represented those challenging the initiative, voiced disappointment, claiming the ruling disregarded protections for voters by omitting key information.
As the November election approaches, Missouri voters will have their say on an issue that has already stirred intense debate. Recent polling suggests a slim majority in favor of the measure, but the outcome will hinge on turnout and the broader political climate, with Missouri joining several other states in a nationwide abortion rights showdown.
