Missouri voters on Tuesday approved a measure that enshrines abortion rights in the state constitution and replaces a near-total ban on the procedure.
The measure, Amendment 3, guarantees a person’s right to get an abortion and make other reproductive health decisions.
It opens the door to legal challenges of a ban on most abortions that took effect immediately after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.Â
Tori Schafer, with the ACLU of Missouri, celebrates the passage of Amendment 3 at a watch party on Tuesday, Nov 5, 2024, at the Marriott ºüÀêÊÓƵ Grand hotel in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ.
The measure made the ballot after an intense legal fight led by anti-abortion advocates who sought to prevent a vote.
With more than 90% of precincts reporting, the measure held a commanding lead — 53% of votes in support.
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Supporters of the Missourians for Constitutional Freedom campaign, who pushed for Amendment 3’s passage, gathered in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ Tuesday night and celebrated as the measure headed for victory.
"We are the Show-Me State, and we showed tonight what Missourians are capable of," Mallory Schwarz, executive director of Abortion Access MO, told a cheering crowd. "We will stop at nothing to ensure that our values are protected and represented in our home."
Margot Riphagen, with the regional chapter of Planned Parenthood, said the vote results showed “that all the hard work we put in resulted in exactly what Missourians wanted. So many people got out to vote and had their voices heard.â€
All the energy used to raise awareness and mobilize voters will still need to be channeled, she said, as Amendment 3 opponents are expected to pursue legal challenges and maybe another vote in the future.
“We know we’re going to have a big fight ahead of us,†she said.
Julia Kaye with the ACLU National Reproductive Freedom Project, center, cheers at an Amendment 3 watch party on Tuesday, Nov 5, 2024, at the Marriott ºüÀêÊÓƵ Grand hotel.
The constitutional amendment will take effect Dec. 6. After that, litigation is expected to overturn Missouri abortion restrictions, including the current ban that doesn’t allow for the procedure in cases of rape and incest.
Amendment 3 will allow abortions until after the point of fetal viability, or about 24 weeks of pregnancy. Abortions after fetal viability will be allowed if the life or health of the mother is at risk.
Missouri was among 10 states Tuesday to weigh in on abortion rights, though five of those states already allow abortions at least up to the point of fetal viability or 24 weeks of pregnancy.
Supporters of Missouri’s Amendment 3 argued that politicians shouldn’t make health care decisions for patients. They said the state’s current ban went too far and that doctors feared treating pregnant women experiencing medical emergencies.
But opponents of the measure cast it as too extreme for Missouri, saying Amendment 3 would undo the state’s parental consent law for minors seeking abortions. Critics also opposed wording allowing for abortions in certain cases after the point of fetal viability.
"As a nation abortion is winning. And we are going to win in Missouri," said Megan O'Brien of south ºüÀêÊÓƵ, right, hugging Katie Wheaton, at a Amendment 3 watch party on Tuesday, Nov 5, 2024, at the Marriott ºüÀêÊÓƵ Grand hotel.
Photos: Missouri voters pass Amendment 3, overturn abortion ban
Tori Schafer, deputy director for Policy and Campaigns of the ACLU of Missouri, celebrates the passing of Amendment 3 at a watch party on Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024, at the Marriott ºüÀêÊÓƵ Grand hotel in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ. The amendment establishes a constitutional right to abortion to the point of fetal viability and to other forms of reproductive health care, including contraception access and miscarriage care.
Tori Schafer, with the ACLU of Missouri, celebrates the passage of Amendment 3 at a watch party on Tuesday, Nov 5, 2024, at the Marriott ºüÀêÊÓƵ Grand hotel in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ.
Allison Klinghammer with Abortion Action Missouri celebrates the passing of Amendment 3 at a watch party on Tuesday, Nov 5, 2024, at the Marriott ºüÀêÊÓƵ Grand hotel in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ. The amendment establishes a constitutional right to abortion to the point of fetal viability and to other forms of reproductive health care, including contraception access and miscarriage care.
Vice President of External Affairs at Planned Parenthood Margot Riphagen celebrates the passing of Amendment 3 at a watch party on Tuesday, Nov 5, 2024, at the Marriott ºüÀêÊÓƵ Grand hotel in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ. The amendment establishes a constitutional right to abortion to the point of fetal viability and to other forms of reproductive health care, including contraception access and miscarriage care.
ACLU Of Missouri Executive Director Luz Maria Henriquez, right, and Deputy Director for Policy and Campaigns of the ACLU of Missouri Tori Schafer, left, celebrate the passing of Amendment 3 at a watch party on Tuesday, Nov 5, 2024, at the Marriott ºüÀêÊÓƵ Grand hotel in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ. The amendment establishes a constitutional right to abortion to the point of fetal viability and to other forms of reproductive health care, including contraception access and miscarriage care.
ACLU Of Missouri Executive Director Luz Maria Henriquez, center, celebrates the passing of Amendment 3 at a watch party on Tuesday, Nov 5, 2024, at the Marriott ºüÀêÊÓƵ Grand hotel in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ. The amendment establishes a constitutional right to abortion to the point of fetal viability and to other forms of reproductive health care, including contraception access and miscarriage care.
Jess Dewes, right, leans on Maryellen Picker as supporters celebrate the passing of Amendment 3 at a watch party on Tuesday, Nov 5, 2024, at the Marriott ºüÀêÊÓƵ Grand hotel in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ. The amendment establishes a constitutional right to abortion to the point of fetal viability and to other forms of reproductive health care, including contraception access and miscarriage care.
Supporters celebrate the passing of Amendment 3 at a watch party on Tuesday, Nov 5, 2024, at the Marriott ºüÀêÊÓƵ Grand hotel in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ. The amendment establishes a constitutional right to abortion to the point of fetal viability and to other forms of reproductive health care, including contraception access and miscarriage care.
Sarah Shelton, left, and Tiare Sadarananda, right, wait for results of Amendment 3 at a watch party on Tuesday, Nov 5, 2024, at the Marriott ºüÀêÊÓƵ Grand hotel in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ. The amendment establishes a constitutional right to abortion to the point of fetal viability and to other forms of reproductive health care, including contraception access and miscarriage care.
Katherine Taylor with Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, center, celebrates the passing of Amendment 3 at a watch party on Tuesday, Nov 5, 2024, at the Marriott ºüÀêÊÓƵ Grand hotel in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ. The amendment establishes a constitutional right to abortion to the point of fetal viability and to other forms of reproductive health care, including contraception access and miscarriage care.
Vice President of External Affairs at Planned Parenthood Margot Riphagen, and ACLU Of Missouri Executive Director Luz Maria Henriquez along with her daughter celebrate the passing of Amendment 3 at a watch party on Tuesday, Nov 5, 2024, at the Marriott ºüÀêÊÓƵ Grand hotel in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ. The amendment establishes a constitutional right to abortion to the point of fetal viability and to other forms of reproductive health care, including contraception access and miscarriage care.
Kristin Mulvey, a staff attorney with the ACLU of Missouri, listens to speakers at a Amendment 3 watch party on Tuesday, Nov 5, 2024, at the Marriott ºüÀêÊÓƵ Grand hotel in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ. The proposed amendment would establish a constitutional right to abortion.
Julia Kaye with the ACLU National Reproductive Freedom Project, center, cheers at an Amendment 3 watch party on Tuesday, Nov 5, 2024, at the Marriott ºüÀêÊÓƵ Grand hotel.
Vice President of External Affairs at Planned Parenthood Margot Riphagen celebrates the passing of Amendment 3 at a watch party on Tuesday, Nov 5, 2024, at the Marriott ºüÀêÊÓƵ Grand hotel in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ. The amendment establishes a constitutional right to abortion to the point of fetal viability and to other forms of reproductive health care, including contraception access and miscarriage care.
Tori Schafer, Deputy Director for Policy and Campaigns of the ACLU of Missouri, reaches for Director of Organizing and Campaigns at Abortion Action Missouri Alex Cook as supporters celebrate the passing of Amendment 3 at a watch party on Tuesday, Nov 5, 2024, at the Marriott ºüÀêÊÓƵ Grand hotel in downtown ºüÀêÊÓƵ. The amendment establishes a constitutional right to abortion to the point of fetal viability and to other forms of reproductive health care, including contraception access and miscarriage care.
