An abortion rights group is launching a new campaign in an effort to legalize the procedure in Missouri by adding an amendment to the ballot that would undo a state ban on the issue.
The situation comes as Missouri was the first state across the nation to officially criminalize abortion following the Supreme Court's ruling that overturned Roe v. Wade nearly two years ago. A successful ballot measure in the state could make it the first where a citizen-led initiative reverses a near-total ban.
On all seven ballot measures that were put before voters since Roe was overturned, abortion rights supporters have prevailed. Furthermore, groups in roughly 10 other states are working to pass similar abortion rights measures this year.
However, in Missouri, they are facing a tight timeline, fierce opposition from the Republicans who control state government, and a long tradition of anti-abortion politics. The proposed ballot measure had been in limbo for several months.
This was because abortion rights groups have been fighting in court against state officials who have been trying to block it. Additionally, the groups fought among themselves about what kind of measure, if any, to put forward for voters to approve, as per the New York Times.
Some of the members of the groups have argued that Missouri voters are more conservative than those from the states where abortion rights ballot measures have already been passed. They also pushed for a ballot amendment that would legalize abortion only in the early stages of pregnancy.
This idea is the one that shows a commanding majority of Americans' support. On the other hand, leaders of Planned Parenthood and some other groups argued that they would not support any measure that is short of allowing women total autonomy to make decisions about abortion, with no gestational limits.
Advocacy groups have tried to put forward several proposals in their attempts to bet on what voters would support. The coalition itself also put forward nearly a dozen versions of the measure.
Amending the State Ban
On the other hand, Missourians for Constitutional Freedom started collecting signatures throughout the state following the selection of one proposed constitutional amendment. They will attempt to place it on the 2024 ballot from an original field of 11 possible options, according to NBC News.
The proposed amendment that has been selected to be placed on the Missouri ballot would enshrine language in the state constitution that protects abortion rights. This also includes other reproductive rights up until fetal viability, which is around the 24th week of pregnancy, with exceptions after that point for the life and health of the woman.
In a statement, an adviser to Missourians for Constitutional Freedom and chief medical officer of Planned Parenthood Great Plains, Dr. Iman Alsaden said that the state's cruel and restrictive abortion ban is tying doctors' hands and preventing necessary care.
She added that with the new measure, Missourians are taking a critical step to make their own medical decisions and kick politicians out of the exam room, said ABC News.
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