A Missouri judge ruled that an abortion-rights campaign did not meet legal requirements to qualify for the November ballot, potentially thwarting efforts to undo the state’s near-total abortion ban. Despite this ruling, the campaign has a chance to appeal before the deadline to make changes to the ballot. The campaign, Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, plans to appeal the decision in hopes of allowing voters to protect reproductive freedom, including access to abortion, birth control, and miscarriage care. The judge’s ruling was based on the campaign not adequately informing voters that the measure would undo the state’s near-total abortion ban.
The ruling has sparked a debate on the initiative petition process and the rights of the 380,000 Missourians who signed the petition demanding a voice on this issue. At least nine other states will consider constitutional amendments enshrining abortion rights this fall, with most guaranteeing a right to abortion until fetal viability and later for the health of the pregnant woman, similar to what the Missouri proposal would do.
Missouri currently has a ban on most abortions with exceptions for medical emergencies. The campaign to legalize abortion in response to the ban faces challenges, with opponents arguing that voters would not have signed the petition if they had known about the laws that could be repealed. Supporters of the campaign argue that it will be up to future judges to decide which abortion laws are thrown out if the amendment is adopted. Ultimately, the fate of reproductive rights in Missouri will be determined by the outcome of the legal battle and the November ballot.
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