Missouri abortion-rights amendment will appear on the ballot, state Supreme Court rules

The Missouri Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that an amendment that would enshrine abortion access in the state's constitution can appear on the general election ballot.

A majority of the state Supreme Court said that a previous judgment by a circuit court is reversed, directing Missouri Secretary of State John Ashcroft to inform local election officials to place Amendment 3 on the state's Nov. 5 ballot.

Ashcroft's office had announced in August that the initiative was certified for the ballot, but a circuit court judge said last week that it didn't meet certain legal requirements.

If voters approve the measure, it would amend the state’s constitution to establish a right to make decisions about reproductive health care, remove the state’s current restrictions on abortion, allow the regulation of reproductive health care to improve a patient’s health, and require the government not to discriminate against people providing or seeking reproductive health care.

The amendment would also protect abortion rights up until fetal viability, around the 24th week of pregnancy, except to protect the life or health of the mother.

“Today’s decision is a victory for both direct democracy and reproductive freedom in Missouri," said Rachel Sweet, the campaign manager for Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the group that spearheaded the initiative. "The Missouri Supreme Court’s ruling ensures that Amendment 3, the Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative, will appear on the November ballot, giving voters—not politicians—the power to decide on this critical issue.

Missouri is one of 10 states that will have an abortion-rights amendment on the ballot this year.