Missouri Voters to Decide on Constitutional Amendment Protecting Abortion Rights in November
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Missouri voters will have the opportunity this November to secure a constitutional right to abortion, potentially overturning the state’s stringent near-total ban on the procedure.
The Missouri Secretary of State’s office confirmed Tuesday that a recent initiative petition has met the necessary threshold of valid signatures from registered voters, allowing it to be included in the general election ballot. To be enacted, the amendment requires approval from a majority of voters.
If approved, the amendment promises to “do something that no other state has done before — end a total abortion ban at the ballot box," according to advocates for the measure, which has garnered substantial support from various organizations.
Missouri is among at least six states that will have abortion rights measures on their ballots during the presidential election. Other states, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, and South Dakota, are also considering similar initiatives. A notable measure in New York aims to prevent discrimination based on “pregnancy outcomes” and “reproductive healthcare.”
Additionally, Missouri’s Secretary of State noted that signatures were gathered for initiatives that would raise the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour and legalize sports betting. However, a proposal for a casino at Lake of the Ozarks did not meet the necessary requirements.
The abortion rights initiative will share the spotlight on the ballot with high-profile elections for governor, U.S. Senate, and state legislature, heightening its political significance within the state.
Republican gubernatorial nominee Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe criticized the abortion measure, describing it as an “extreme proposal” influenced by outside interests. In contrast, Democratic candidate and House Minority Leader Crystal Quade voiced her support, pledging to see the initiative put into effect.
The 2022 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that overturned the nationwide right to abortion has led to a patchwork of state laws regarding abortion access. Since the ruling, many Republican-led states have enacted new restrictions, while Democratic states have worked to protect abortion rights. Supporters of abortion rights have successfully passed measures in several states since the Supreme Court’s 2022 decision, including in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana, Ohio, and Vermont.
The previous ruling also triggered a 2019 Missouri law banning abortion, with limited exceptions, leading to a drastic decline in procedures within the state. However, residents are still seeking abortion services from out-of-state providers or traveling to nearby states.
The forthcoming Missouri ballot measure aims to establish a right to abortion until a fetus reaches viability, generally considered to be around 23 to 24 weeks. It would permit abortions post-viability if health care professionals determine it’s necessary for the pregnant woman’s health.
As more states consider similar ballot measures, officials in Montana and Nebraska are weighing initiatives that address abortion rights, indicating a growing trend toward voter involvement on this critical issue.
Campaigns for both the abortion rights initiative and the sports betting proposal have already invested over $5 million, with additional spending anticipated. The sports betting initiative, backed by major sports entities, seeks to legitimize wagering in an environment where many states have embraced this form of entertainment.
In addition, the proposed minimum wage initiative plans to raise the current rate from $12.30 to $13.75 in 2025 and to $15 an hour by 2026, alongside provisions for paid sick leave.
As these vital issues take center stage in the upcoming election, Missouri residents are poised to make significant decisions that could reshape both local and state policies.
