Abortion rights initiative makes it onto Missouri's November ballot

Missouri voters in November will get to vote on whether to enshrine abortion rights into the state's Constitution, which would reverse the state's current near-total ban on the procedure. 

The Missouri Secretary of State's office on Tuesday approved the citizen-led initiative, certifying that it received enough support from voters to appear on the statewide ballot. Missouri was the first state to enact a ban on abortion after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.

The measure would make abortion legal up to the point of fetal viability, which is generally around 23 or 24 weeks into the pregnancy. It would also allow abortion after fetal viability if a health care professional determines it’s necessary to protect the life, or physical or mental health of the mother, according to the Associated Press.

“This is a monumental achievement for our campaign and a significant step forward for the rights of all Missourians,” Rachel Sweet, campaign manager for Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, told The Hill. “We will be present in every corner of Missouri, championing a cause that we know Missourians overwhelmingly support. 

"As a proud Missourian who has led abortion rights ballot measure campaigns in states across the Midwest, I am honored to say that it is our turn to do something that no other state has done before; end a total abortion ban at the ballot box," she added.

Missouri's current ban makes it illegal for medical professionals to perform abortions except to save the life of the mother. A doctor or medical professional who does perform or induce an abortion can be charged with a felony that is punishable by five to 15 years in prison. The pregnant woman would not be punished for the abortion.

The state is just one of half a dozen states that will vote on abortion this election cycle. Arizona on Monday certified a petition on the topic to appear on its ballots in November, NBC News reported, and voters in Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Nevada and South Dakota will also vote on the topic later this year.

The measure will need just a simple majority to pass.

Misty Severi is an evening news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.