Missourians will vote on a constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights, following a ruling by the state’s highest court on Tuesday. The Missouri Supreme Court ordered the abortion rights measure, known as Amendment 3, to be placed on the November 5, 2024, general election ballot.
Missouri ballot will include abortion rights : Court’s Decision
The ruling overturned a lower court decision that initially blocked the measure from the ballot, citing conflicts with state law. Missouri’s Supreme Court Chief Justice Mary R. Russell directed Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft to certify the amendment and ensure it appears on the ballot. The court did not immediately release a full opinion.
This ruling follows recent legal disputes over the language used to describe the amendment. Last week, a county judge found Ashcroft’s description of the amendment misleading, although it only affected public materials and not the ballot itself.
Abortion Rights on the Ballot
The Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative, or Amendment 3, aims to enshrine the right to abortion access in Missouri’s constitution. A “yes” vote would allow individuals to make decisions about all matters related to reproductive health care, including prenatal care, childbirth, birth control, and abortion.
