Missouri Supreme Court Approves Abortion Rights Measure For November Ballot

Missouri’s Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday that a proposed abortion rights amendment will appear on the November 2024 ballot, allowing voters to decide whether to restore abortion access in the state. The decision comes more than two years after Missouri implemented a total abortion ban, with exceptions only for medical emergencies.

Voters to Decide Abortion Rights

The measure, supported by Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, proposes restoring abortion rights in Missouri until fetal viability, typically around 24 weeks of pregnancy. The group submitted over 250,000 signatures, which the secretary of state’s office verified last month, clearing the way for the amendment to be placed on the ballot.

Legal Challenge and Supreme Court Ruling

The measure faced a legal challenge from anti-abortion advocates and lawmakers, who argued that the ballot language did not clearly explain the consequences of passing the amendment. Last Friday, a circuit court judge agreed, ruling that the measure should not appear on the ballot. However, Missourians for Constitutional Freedom quickly appealed, and the state Supreme Court reversed the decision on Tuesday.

Chief Justice Mary Russell wrote in the court’s ruling that Missouri’s Secretary of State John Ashcroft must certify the measure and ensure it is placed on the November 5, 2024 ballot. The ruling came just hours before the ballot printing deadline.

Support and Opposition

Abortion rights remain a contentious issue in Missouri, where a St. Louis University/YouGov poll conducted in August showed 52% support for the measure. It will require more than 50% approval from voters to pass. While supporters of the amendment view the court’s ruling as a victory for reproductive rights, opponents like attorney Mary Catherine Martin criticized the decision, saying the court ignored laws meant to protect voters.

Missouri is one of nine states set to vote on abortion-related measures in November, a significant issue that could influence both the presidential race and control of Congress.