Missouri Secretary of State Denny Hoskins has certified HJR 73 for the November 3, 2026, general election. Ironically, the measure will appear as “Amendment 3”, even though it aims to roll back some of the worst provisions of the pro-abortion constitutional amendment that was narrowly approved in last year’s general election.

If approved by voters, the “new” Amendment 3 would amend the Missouri Constitution to guarantee access to care for medical emergencies, ectopic pregnancies, and miscarriages; limit abortions to medical emergencies, fatal fetal anomalies, rape, and incest; restore health and safety standards for abortion clinics; ensure parental consent for minors; prohibit public funding of abortions except in limited circumstances; and, protect children from gender-transition treatments and procedures.

As expected, the announcement quickly sparked a legal challenge from abortion advocates. On Wednesday, the ACLU filed a lawsuit against Secretary of State Hoskins for certifying what they deem to be “an intentionally misleading and inaccurate summary statement and fair ballot language”. The full petition filed by the ACLU is available here.

To view the official documents issued by the Secretary of State website, click here.

Missouri Secretary of State 2026 Ballot Measures 

Official Ballot Title:

Shall the Missouri Constitution be amended to:

• Guarantee access to care for medical emergencies, ectopic pregnancies, and miscarriages;
• Ensure women’s safety during abortions;
• Ensure parental consent for minors;
• Allow abortions for medical emergencies, fetal anomalies, rape, and incest;
• Require physicians to provide medically accurate information; and
• Protect children from gender transition?

State governmental entities estimate no costs or savings. Greene County estimates it may experience an unknown increase in tax revenue. Other local governmental entities estimate no costs or savings.

 Fair Ballot Language:

A “yes” vote will amend the Missouri Constitution to allow abortion in cases of medical emergency, fetal anomaly, rape, or incest, with a twelve-week gestational limit for rape or incest; require physicians to provide medically accurate information; require informed and voluntary consent, including parental or judicial consent for minors; authorize laws to regulate abortion providers and facilities to ensure health and safety; prohibit public funding of abortions except in limited circumstances; guarantee access to care for ectopic pregnancies, miscarriages, and medical emergencies; and protect children from gender transition by prohibiting certain medical procedures and medications for minors, with exceptions for specific medical conditions.

A “no” vote will not amend the Missouri Constitution to allow abortion in cases of medical emergency, fetal anomaly, rape, or incest, or to protect children from gender transition.

If passed, this measure will not increase or decrease taxes.

Ever-living God, you give life and desire a future for all your children. Take hold of our nation, state, and community and awaken in every heart awe for the gift of life. Send your Spirit to strengthen us with wisdom and fortitude as we defend mothers and children in Missouri from laws that disregard their health and safety.

Mary and Joseph trusted in you and welcomed Jesus into our broken world. God Almighty, we ask their intercession to protect the preborn and their mothers, and to guide all parents in raising their children. May they help us build a civilization of love by upholding the sacredness of life and accompanying pregnant women in need.

We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

Our Lady, Mother of the Family, pray for us!

St. Joseph, protector of the unborn, pray for us!

On August 13, 2024, Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft issued a Certificate of Sufficiency that placed the deceptive and extreme abortion amendment (Amendment 3) on the November ballot. The Missouri Catholic Conference strongly opposes this misleading amendment which seeks to enshrine abortion in the Missouri Constitution. Please read our press

The Missouri Bishops issued a statement regarding the Pro-Abortion Amendment 3 that seeks to amend the Missouri Constitution and legalize abortion throughout all stages of pregnancy. Click on the link to read the statement –

Statement on Acceptance of Amendment 3

Missouri Bishops’ Statement on pro-abortion Amendment 3

Declaración de la Conferencia Católica de Missouri (MCC) sobre la Enmienda 3 (Aborto como derecho constitucional)

Missouri Bishops Statement on Abortion Initiative Petition

Archbishop Rozanski on Amendment 3: Video statement

The Extreme Consequences of Amendment 3: Bishop James V. Johnston, Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph.

Bishop Johnston addresses Amendment 3: Video statement

On life, let us be guided by God’s mercy: Bishop W. Shawn McKnight, Diocese of Jefferson City, video statement on Amendment 3.

On life, let us be guided by God’s mercy: Bishop W. Shawn McKnight, Diocese of Jefferson City, written statement on Amendment 3.

Full Text of the Proposed Amendment

Funding Sources for Amendment 3:  Reports can be found on the Missouri Ethics Commission website. Each report details who donated and the quantity donated. At the end of each report is a list of expenditures. This will allow you to see where the money is coming from and where the money is going.

Donors who have given more than $5,000 to Missourians for Constitutional Freedom to promote abortion in Missouri. Largest donations come from out-of-state special interest groups.

The following resources are available to parishes for sharing information about Amendment 3.

Where Does It Say That: A one-page flyer that highlights what the Aborton Constitutional Amendment language says vs. what it actually does.

¿LO SABÍA?: A one-page flyer that highlights what the Aborton Constitutional Amendment language says vs. what it actually does.

Get the Facts on Amendment 3: A one-page flyer that shows the full text of the amendment and what it would do in Missouri.

The Detailed Facts on Amendment 3: A one-page flyer that details the seven most alarming repercussions of Amendment 3.

Que Haria La Enmienda 3 De Missouri: A one-page flyer that shows the full text of the amendment and what it would do in Missouri.

The Truth about Abortion and Women’s Health: A one-page flyer that dispels many myths that restrictions on abortion will limit women’s access to life-saving care

La verdad sobre el aborto y la salud de la mujer: A one-page flyer that dispels many myths that restrictions on abortion will limit women’s access to life-saving care

The following resources are available for parish bulletins or bulletin boards.

• • • Fact 1: Put Women at Risk / Dato 1: Poner en Riesgo a las Mujures
    • Fact 2: Prohibit Any Regulation of Abortion /  Dat0 2: Prohibir Cualquier Regulacion del Aborto
    • Fact 3: Shield Negligent Health Care Professionals / Dato 3: Blindar a los Cupables de Negligencia Medica
    • Fact 4: Permit Abortion Even When the Preborn Child Can Feel Pain / Dato 4: Permitir Abortos Incluso Cuando el Bebe ya Puede Sentir Dolor
    • Fact 5: Eliminate Parental Notification or Consent / Dato 5: Prescindir del Consentimiento de los Padres Para Ques las Menores Aborten
    • Fact 6: Allow Abortion at Any Time for Any Reason / Dato 6: Legalizar el Aborto en Cualquier Punto del Embarazo Y Por Cualquier Motivo
    • Fact 7: Open The Door To Taxpayer-Funded Abortions / Dato 7: Dar Pie a Que Los Abortos Sean Financiados Con Los Impuestos De Todos
    • Half-page bulletin ad
    • Prayer card
    • Our Lady of Guadalupe prayer card

• Amendment 3 intertwines abortion with other forms of reproductive services: Dr. Alexa Williams, an OB/GYN, warns that Amendment 3 language is confusing because it essentially includes “no restrictions, no safety standards, no parental consent for minors and no limitations on taxpayer funding.”
• Dr. David Stanfield letter regarding Amendment 3
• Will Pro-Life State Laws Hurt Women and Hinder Doctors?

• Let’s Talk About Amendment 3 with Fr. Mitchell Baer
• A former Abortion Doctor talks about when Abortion is Medically Necessary
• Doctor DESTROYS Transgender Madness with Scientific Evidence
• Confessions From Former Abortion Facility Workers

• Honest Conversations Between Abortion Survivors and Providers

• Abortion Providers Meet Women Who Regret Their Abortions
• Raped at 11, My Mother Became Pregnant with me
• Late Term Abortions Happen All the Time

• “Is our baby ok?”  “…No”

• What is 2363?
• Aiding abusers
• I’m a triplet
• Former Abortionist Reflects on Painful Past
• Abortion is Never Medically Necessary
• Reply to: Abortion in Cases of Rape
• Reply to: I’m personally pro-life but…

• • The Respect Life Apostolate of the Archdiocese of St. Louis has created a helpful one-page flyer regarding the 5 things you can do right now to save the preborn and protect Missouri. Click on the link to download the flyer – 5 Things You Can Do Right Now

• • The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph’s Life and Justice office has created a two-page flyer with information on the Abortion Initiative Petition and resources available in the Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph. Click on the link to download the flyer – KCSJ Diocese Abortion flyer

• • Please note that each diocese has resources available to assist women and families in crisis. You can find a list of resources by diocese here.