Missouri voters may have a big decision to make this fall when it comes to abortion rights. They could be faced with the choice of either continuing the current ban on abortions or voting on a new constitutional amendment that guarantees abortion rights up until later in a woman’s pregnancy.
The secretary of state’s office had a deadline this week to determine if an abortion-rights initiative gathered enough valid petition signatures to make it onto the November ballot. Supporters of the initiative are confident that they have collected more than enough signatures to qualify.
If the initiative does make it onto the ballot, it will require a majority vote from the voters to overturn the current abortion restrictions in the state. This is part of a larger trend happening across the country, as at least a half-dozen states, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, and South Dakota, are also set to vote on abortion rights during the upcoming presidential election.
While the Missouri law currently prohibits most abortions, residents are still able to travel to nearby states, like Illinois and Kansas, to access abortion services. The proposed ballot measure in Missouri would establish a right to abortion until a fetus is able to survive outside the womb without extraordinary medical intervention. This is typically around 23 or 24 weeks into a pregnancy, but advancements in medical technology have pushed this timeline earlier.
If the measure passes, abortions would still be allowed after fetal viability if a healthcare professional deems it necessary to protect the life or physical or mental health of the pregnant woman. This is a significant decision that could have far-reaching implications for women’s healthcare in the state.
As the debate over abortion rights continues to unfold, it is clear that voters will play a crucial role in shaping the future of reproductive rights in Missouri and beyond. The outcome of the November ballot could have a lasting impact on the lives of women in the state, and it is up to the voters to make their voices heard on this important issue.
