Missouri Voters Face New Abortion Ban: What It Means After Rights Were Restored

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. — Six months after Missouri voters backed an amendment supporting abortion rights, Republican lawmakers have pushed for a new referendum to repeal that amendment. This proposal would ban most abortions, allowing them only in cases of rape or incest.

The state is set to present this constitutional change to voters in November 2026, although it could happen sooner if Governor Mike Kehoe calls for a special election. Recently, Republican senators used procedural tactics to limit debate, passing the measure with a 21-11 vote after the House approved it last month.

Immediately after the vote, protesters filled the Senate chamber, chanting against the ban.

The Senate also moved to repeal a law that ensured paid sick leave and raised the minimum wage, which will soon become law with the governor’s signature. This legislative session wrapped up two days early, with Democrats vowing to push back in the next session.

Democratic Senator Brian Williams expressed outrage, claiming, “Our rights are under attack.” He accused Republicans of trying to overturn voter decisions. On the other hand, Republicans argue that they’re simply giving the public another chance to voice their opinions on abortion, citing new exceptions as a reason for potential support.

Republican Senator Mary Elizabeth Coleman described abortion as a major tragedy and emphasized the need for the repeal. Some GOP members argued that the paid sick leave law could hurt small businesses and initially proposed an exemption for smaller firms before deciding on a full repeal.

Missouri has changed its abortion laws substantially in recent years. After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Missouri enacted a law banning most abortions. However, abortion rights advocates successfully gathered signatures for a new amendment, which was approved by voters last November, affirming the right to abortion until fetal viability—usually around 21 weeks.

Currently, surgical abortions can occur, but medication abortions remain suspended due to ongoing legal disputes.

This new measure aims to limit abortions mainly to severe medical issues or instances of rape or incest within the first 12 weeks. It also seeks to ban gender transition surgeries and related treatments for minors, which are already restricted by state law.

Polling suggests a complicated landscape: many Missouri voters oppose most abortions but agree with limited exceptions. Sam Lee from Campaign Life Missouri noted this trend, indicating that voters want to allow abortions under specific circumstances.

The proposed ballot, however, won’t directly mention the repeal of Amendment 3. Instead, it focuses on “ensuring women’s safety during abortions” and “protecting children from gender transition.”

Democratic Senator Tracy McCreery criticized this strategy as misleading. Organizations like Planned Parenthood and the ACLU are organizing rallies and campaigns to oppose these measures, promising a vigorous fight to uphold the reproductive rights won just six months ago.

As different voices clash, the conversations around abortion rights in Missouri continue to evolve, reflecting wider national debates on the issue.

For detailed insights, refer to the Associated Press and various studies that shed light on public opinion trends regarding abortion rights.

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