Missouri Supreme Court allows abortion access amendment

The Missouri Supreme Court ruled that an amendment addressing abortion access will be on the general election ballot. This ruling reverses a previous judgment by a circuit court. The court has directed Missouri Secretary of State John Ashcroft to notify local election officials to include Amendment 3 on the state's November 5 ballot.

Details of the Amendment

If approved by voters, the amendment would amend the state's constitution to:

• Establish a right to make decisions about reproductive health care.
• Remove the state’s current restrictions on abortion.
• Allow the regulation of reproductive health care to improve a patient’s health.
• Require the government not to discriminate against people providing or seeking reproductive health care.
• Protect abortion rights until fetal viability, around the 24th week of pregnancy, except to protect the life or health of the mother.

The proposed amendment aims to safeguard reproductive rights in Missouri and align with current medical and ethical standards

Rachel Sweet, the campaign manager for Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, expressed satisfaction with the decision, stating, "The Missouri Supreme Court’s ruling ensures that Amendment 3, the Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative, will appear on the November ballot, giving voters—not politicians—the power to decide on this critical issue." Sweet’s statement underscores the belief in direct democracy and empowering the electorate on important matters.