JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – The Missouri Supreme Court narrowly upheld an abortion rights measure on November ballots by a 4-3 vote earlier this month, according to a judicial opinion documents released Friday.
Set for ballots in the Nov. 5, 2024 general election, the measure – more commonly known as Amendment 3 – would reverse the state’s near-total ban with voter approval.
After the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022, Missouri’s Republican-led Legislature moved to ban almost all abortions. Only abortions in cases deemed “medical emergencies” are legal in Missouri right now.
The Missouri Secretary of State’s Office formally certified an initiative petition in August to place an abortion rights measure on ballots this fall. Legal challenges followed, but the Missouri Supreme Court ultimately approved to keep Amendment 3 on ballots through a 4-3 vote on Sept. 10.
Documents note that Judge Paul Wilson wrote the majority opinion to uphold the measure, with Chief Justice Mary Russell, Judge Robin Ranson and Judge Brent Powell concurring.
Documents also note that Judge Kelly Broniec wrote the dissenting opinion, with Judge Zel Fisher and Ginger Gooch concurring in dissent.
