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.