The Missouri Supreme Court ruled on Tuesday to uphold a measure that will allow the legalization of abortion on the ballot for the upcoming November election, despite last-minute efforts by Republicans to block the amendment. The ruling directs Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft to ensure that Amendment 3 is certified for inclusion on the November 5, 2024, general election ballot and to take all necessary actions to secure its placement.
Amendment 3 aims to restore constitutional protections for abortion following the state’s implementation of a near-total abortion ban after the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022.
“The government shall not deny or infringe upon a person’s fundamental right to reproductive freedom, defined as the ability to make and implement decisions regarding reproductive health care,” states the amendment. Advocates for reproductive rights in the state, spearheaded by Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, undertook significant efforts to place this initiative on the ballot, successfully gathering over 380,000 signatures.
In August, Missouri’s Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft certified the measure for the upcoming November ballot, a significant step in the legislative process that sparked considerable public interest. Shortly after this certification, Republican state Representative Hannah Kelly and state Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman took legal action by filing a lawsuit against Ashcroft. They argued that the amendment was problematic because it did not clearly specify which existing laws it would repeal, raising concerns about its implications for the state’s legal framework. Recently, the situation intensified when efforts to decertify Amendment 3 gained traction after a Cole County judge ruled the amendment invalid on the grounds that it “violated state law.” This ruling has brought renewed attention to the complexities surrounding the amendment and its potential impact on Missouri’s legislative environment, further igniting debates among lawmakers and constituents alike.
Just three days later, and only weeks after getting the green light, Ashcroft announced he was decertifying the initiative. He mentioned “serious concerns about whether the proposed petition meets the legal requirements for giving the public enough notice.” Of course, his decertification was appealed, which took the case to the state’s highest court. Then, just hours before the deadline for the general election ballot, the Missouri Supreme Court showed that the Republicans’ efforts were pretty much in vain.
“Today’s ruling from the Missouri Supreme Court is a monumental win for both direct democracy and reproductive freedom in our state,” stated Missourians for Constitutional Freedom. “This decision guarantees that Amendment 3 will be on the ballot this November 5th, empowering voters—not politicians—to shape the future of this vital issue.”
With this landmark decision, Missouri becomes the 11th state set to cast votes on reproductive rights in November. Remember, Amendment 3 needs just 50% of the vote to make an impact!