Is Missouri’s abortion fight over?

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KY3) -Missourians have now voted twice to secure abortion access in the state constitution and to stop lawmakers from undoing their votes. But is the decades-long fight over?

Missourians have voted twice to secure abortion access in the state constitution and to stop lawmakers from undoing those votes. Anti-abortion activists say the fight is not over, while some lawyers and Democratic lawmakers say the issue is closed.

Amendment 3 failed at the ballot, which means abortion access stays in the state constitution. Amendment 6 passed, meaning a new amendment will be added to the Missouri Constitution that requires lawmakers to get at least 80% approval from the General Assembly and approval from voters to change or amend a law or policy passed by voters.

Missouri lawmakers can pre-file bills for the 2027 legislative session starting Dec. 1.

Democrats say the issue is settled

With the failure of Amendment 3 and the passage of Amendment 6, some lawyers and Democratic lawmakers say the book is closed on abortion in the Show Me State.

Democratic State Representative-elect Tori Schafer fought for abortion access in the courts as an ACLU lawyer. She is now taking on a new role in the state Capitol as a lawmaker.

“Missourians want to make their own healthcare decisions free from politicians in Jefferson City,” Schafer said.

“I mean our state constitution makes really clear in Article 1 Section 36 that the right to reproductive freedom shall not be infringed upon by the government, so the state legislature should not be coming for reproductive freedom, full stop,” Schafer said.

Schafer said she expects abortion-related bills to be filed.

“I anticipate that those bills will be filed in some capacity, but will they be able to take effect? My answer on that is no,” Schafer said.

Democratic State Sen. Tracy McCreery also said the issue is settled.

“This issue of abortion in the State of Missouri, this issue is settled now. Voters have made it very clear that they want elected officials to move on and focus on things that are important to them and their families,” McCreery said.

Anti-abortion activists say fight continues

Anti-abortion activists say the fight is not over but may look different. They are turning their attention to on-the-street conversations and supporting alternatives to abortion.

James Lawson, campaign manager for Her Health Her Future, worked on the campaign supporting Amendment 3. He said the fight is moving to the streets.

“We’re going to look for every opportunity that we can to protect life and continue that fight,” Lawson said.

“The fight to protect children doesn’t just end with the legislature or end with laws. It also happens on the street; it happens in one-on-one conversations with our families, our communities,” Lawson said.

“This is a battle that we’ve been fighting since the 1970s, and it’s a battle that we’re going to continue fighting in perpetuity because it’s not a simple policy issue; it’s a matter of life and death,” Lawson said.

Tom Estes, a pastor and member of the Her Health Her Future campaign, also said the effort will continue.

“We’re never going to stop until every child is protected in the State of Missouri,” Estes said.

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