Group Files Initiative Petitions to Add Abortion Rights to the Missouri Constitution

An abortion rights group on Wednesday filed eleven initiative petitions with the Secretary of State’s office to provide protections for the procedure in the state constitution. The proposals, filed by a political action committee called Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, would amend the constitution to declare that the “government shall not infringe upon a person’s fundamental right to reproductive freedom.” Each proposal states that there must be “a compelling governmental interest” for abortion restrictions to be put in place; however, each differs as to the specifics of what is allowable. Regardless, the proposals would effectively roll back the current pro-life protections in Missouri. 

The Secretary of State’s office is now accepting public comments on the 11 versions of the proposed amendment. The office will then write a summary and supporters can then begin gathering signatures to place the issue on the 2024 ballot.