The Missouri Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that a proposed amendment to legalize abortion will remain on the November ballot. The decision came less than three hours before the state’s deadline for printing ballots for absentee voters. The ruling overturned a lower court’s decision last week to remove the amendment following a lawsuit from anti-abortion groups.
Attacks on abortion are inherently bound up in attacks on our democracy.
Abortion bans are more possible because our democracy is so fragile. Extremists consistently use undemocratic means to drive forward an unpopular antiabortion, anti-freedom agenda. https://t.co/l5v20zu5IN
— Fatima Goss Graves (@FGossGraves) September 10, 2024
ICYMI: Busy day of oral arguments today at the Nebraska Supreme Court for the ballot initiative seeking the boost abortion rights and one seeking to protect restrictions.
Our preview from this weekend @NE_Examiner:https://t.co/zuFBUjQEbR
— Aaron Sanderford (@asanderford) September 9, 2024
The seven-member court handed down its one-page ruling, stating that Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft “shall certify to local election authorities that Amendment 3 be placed on the Nov. 5, 2024, general election ballot and shall take all steps necessary to ensure that it is on said ballot.”
The Missouri Supreme Court ruled that Amendment 3, which would codify expansive abortion rights within the Missouri Constitution, must be placed on the state ballot. @BaptistPress https://t.co/lT5LJeXw8u
— Thomas S. Kidd (@ThomasSKidd) September 10, 2024
Rachel Sweet, the campaign manager for Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the coalition backing the measure, said, “Today’s decision is a victory for both direct democracy and reproductive freedom in Missouri. This fight was not just about this amendment, it was about defending the integrity of the initiative petition process and ensuring that Missourians can shape their future directly.”
The four anti-abortion advocates who tried to strike the measure said in a statement that the court had “turned a blind eye” to their arguments that abortion-rights groups did not follow constitutional procedures when they circulated petitions to sponsor the amendment.
“The fight continues against the vile forces who have no regard for innocent life,” the statement read. If passed on Nov. 5, the amendment would go into effect 30 days later.
Court affirms abortion measure ballot placement
It would legalize abortion up until the point of fetal viability and protect other reproductive rights, including birth control. Missouri is among the US states with the strictest abortion laws.
Currently in effect is a total abortion ban outside of specific medical emergencies. It is now one of nine states that will vote on abortion rights at the same time as choosing the next president in November. Mary Catherine Martin, a lawyer for the Thomas More Society, the group that filed the lawsuit opposing the measure, told judges on Tuesday that Amendment 3’s wording would “absolutely mislead” voters.
“The average voter reading this would have no way of knowing that it has a limiting effect” on the state legislature’s ability to regulate abortion, Ms. Martin said. The Missouri Republican Party called the ruling “devastating.” “This ruling marks the most dangerous threat to Missouri’s pro-life laws in our state’s history,” the party said in a statement Tuesday.
“Make no mistake—this amendment, bankrolled by radical out-of-state interest groups, is a direct assault on Missouri families and the values we hold dear.”
- NYTimes.”Missouri High Court Restores Abortion Measure to Ballot”.
- MissouriIndependent.”Missouri Supreme Court rules amendment legalizing abortion will remain on ballot”.
- BBC.”Missouri’s top court allows vote on abortion rights”.