ST. LOUIS – Missouri voters are likely to support an abortion rights ballot measure this fall that would reverse the state’s near-total ban through a constitutional amendment, new research finds.
Saint Louis University and YouGov PLC conducted a poll last month on several issues facing the Missouri legislature, collecting responses from more than 900 perspective Missouri voters.
According to the poll results, around 52% of poll respondents would support a ballot measure to legalize abortion rights in the state, while 34% would oppose such a measure, and 14% are currently unsure.
Poll collectors say support for an abortion rights initiative has grown by 8% since a February poll inquiring about such a measure.
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. If passed, the state’s ban would ultimately be overturned.
Poll results also reveal the following trends among prospective Missouri voters:
Around 50% of poll respondents would support a ballot initiative to legalize sports betting in the state, while 30% would oppose such a measure, and 20% are currently unsure.
Around 57% of poll respondents would support a proposition to increase minimum wage in the state, while 30% would oppose such a measure, and 13% are currently unsure.
More than half of poll respondents would support Republican political candidates – including Donald Trump for U.S. President, Josh Hawley for U.S. Senate and Mike Kehoe for governor – as opposed to Democratic opponents.
Missouri’s general election, which will include abortion rights, sports betting and minimum wage ballot measures among a large group of candidates for political offices, is set for Nov. 5, 2024.
