Columbia Missourian: Opinion: Our votes are not suggestions. Vote No on Amendment 3
By Evonnia Woods
While discussing the ongoing battle over Missouri’s congressional electoral map, Mary Sanchez made the point in her recent guest commentary that politicians are “giving a master class on how to disrespect voters.” Well, disrespecting voters appears to be this election season’s theme because Missouri voters must vote again on a statewide abortion ban in November.
In the presidential election of 2024, following an extremely short ballot signature period, voters ended Missouri’s abortion ban and secured the right to birth control, prenatal care and maternal healthcare by approving what is now known as the Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment. Missouri voters made it clear that we are not interested in politicians making medical decisions for us and our families. However, after two years of court battles, banning abortion returns to the ballot as an upside down version of 2024’s Amendment 3.
Numbering this year’s abortion ban as Amendment 3 is a dirty trick meant to confuse voters, and it is not the only one. Politicians created ballot language that had to be rewritten by a court after ruling that it was misleading and inaccurate. Politicians have also been flagrantly and unnecessarily attacking transgender youth when they have already banned health care for transgender youth three years ago. Missouri voters must see through these deceptions and vote No on Amendment 3 during this year’s midterm elections.
Voting No on Amendment 3 is how we show politicians that when we vote we mean business.
Evonnia Woods, of Columbia, is the executive director of the Center for Collective Action.
