KY3: Amendment 3 would restrict abortion in Missouri two years after voters approved constitutional protections
By Hannah Falcon
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KY3) - Abortion is back on the ballot in Missouri.
As absentee voting begins in Missouri, voters will again decide a question on abortion access. This time, a “yes” vote would restrict abortion. Amendment Three would rewrite a section of the Missouri Constitution added two years ago that protects the right to abortion.
Missourians will see this question on their ballot:
“Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:
Repeal the 2024 voter-approved Amendment providing reproductive healthcare rights, including abortion through fetal viability;
Allow abortions for rape and incest (under twelve-weeks’ gestation), emergencies, and fetal anomalies;
Allow legislation regulating abortion;
Ensure parental consent for minors’ abortions;
Prohibit gender transition procedures for minors?”
A “yes” vote would essentially repeal the Amendment Three passed in November 2024. But this language may not be final. If lawyers appeal again, it can go to the Missouri Supreme Court.”
If passed, abortions could be performed in cases of incest, rape, and medical emergencies within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy. The amendment would also permanently ban gender transition treatments for minors.
Amanda Sanders, spokesperson for the Her Health, Her Future campaign, said the coalition is pushing for the passage of Amendment Three.
“In 2024, voters approved a highly questionable ballot measure and didn’t know the parade of issues that would follow that,” Sanders said.
The amendment passed in 2024 was put on the ballot by initiative petition, having to receive thousands of signatures from people all over Missouri. It faced several legal challenges along the way, going all the way to the state’s Supreme Court before the matter was settled. Amendment Three passed last fall with 52% of the vote.
Amendment Three advertises a ban on gender transition treatment for minors. A 2023 law passed by the Missouri General Assembly already bans that, but it sunsets in 2027. Sanders said this amendment would ensure it’s a permanent ban.
“So that way it’s not the legislature or a judge; it is permanently protected in the Missouri Constitution,” Sanders said.
Emily Wales with the opposition campaign Stop the Ban said the measure amounts to government overreach.
“We’re hearing some confusion from voters, and really they’re frustrated,” Wales said. “People feel like this has been resolved, abortion access has been restored in the state, and they don’t want politicians undermining the will of the people.”
Financial reports show the opposition campaign raised more than three times as much money as the campaign supporting the amendment.
“Abortion is part of the whole spectrum of comprehensive sexual and reproductive care and ideally when a patient needs any type of care they’re making that decision in conversation with their family and their provider, and they’re not doing it with the government overreaching and telling them what they can and can’t do,” Wales said.
A poll conducted this month by SLU/YouGov of likely Missouri voters shows support and opposition for Amendment Three are neck and neck.
Missouri voters will also decide ballot questions this fall on congressional districts, direct democracy, establishing a public endowment and the right to elect county sheriffs.
