Missouri’s Supreme Court is set to review arguments on Tuesday regarding a proposed abortion-rights amendment that could potentially be included on this year’s ballot. The amendment aims to solidify abortion rights in the state constitution, alongside allowing individuals to make decisions regarding reproductive health care. If approved, it is anticipated to repeal Missouri’s near-total abortion ban implemented in 2022.
Originally planned for the November ballot, the proposal was removed by Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft following a ruling by a county circuit judge in favor of abortion opponents and several Republican lawmakers who requested its removal. Despite Ashcroft’s decision, the Supreme Court will ultimately have the final say on the matter, facing a deadline of 5 p.m. Tuesday to make any alterations to the upcoming ballot after the morning session.
This initiative is part of a broader national effort to involve voters in decisions concerning abortion following the 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade. Missouri was among the states that swiftly imposed significant restrictions on abortion post the Supreme Court ruling. Additionally, other states, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, and South Dakota, are also contemplating constitutional amendments affirming abortion rights through ballot measures.
The potential impact of voting on abortion-related issues goes beyond state boundaries, as it could influence voter turnout and results in various elections, including the presidency, Congress, and statewide races. Democrats in Missouri are hopeful that support from abortion-rights advocates could positively affect their prospects during the November election.
Legal disputes have arisen in different states regarding whether voters should have a say in such matters and the wording used in ballots and explanatory materials. In a recent ruling, Arkansas’ highest court upheld the exclusion of an abortion-rights ballot initiative from the state’s elections due to incomplete documentation from the group supporting the measure.
The legal contention in Missouri revolves around a state law mandating that campaigns inform signatories during the petition process about laws that proposed amendments would overturn. The plaintiffs’ attorneys argue that the abortion-rights campaign failed to disclose the extent of provisions being repealed, including the existing abortion ban. Conversely, attorneys for Missourians for Constitutional Freedom assert that the case is about protecting the people’s right to participate in direct democracy.
States that have previously included abortion-related questions on their ballots post the Roe v. Wade reversal have predominantly favored abortion-rights supporters.
