In a significant step towards protecting abortion rights in Missouri, a proposed amendment to enshrine abortion access in the state's constitution has cleared a critical hurdle to appear on the ballot this year. A coalition of reproductive rights advocates successfully submitted the required number of valid signatures to state officials just ahead of the May 5 deadline.

The proposed amendment aims to safeguard abortion rights in Missouri up until fetal viability, which is typically around the 24th week of pregnancy. It includes exceptions for cases where the life and health of the mother are at risk. The amendment explicitly defines reproductive freedom as encompassing various decisions related to reproductive healthcare, including birth control, abortion care, and miscarriage care, until fetal viability. Furthermore, the proposal deems any denial, interference, delay, or restriction of such care as invalid.

However, beyond fetal viability, the government would be permitted to regulate abortion, except in instances where a healthcare professional determines that the life or physical or mental health of the mother is at risk. The amendment would also allow lawmakers and state officials to restrict or limit abortion rights if it aims to improve or maintain the health of the person seeking care, aligns with clinical standards of practice and evidence-based medicine, and respects autonomous decision-making.

If this amendment were to pass, it would effectively overturn Missouri's current stringent abortion ban, which only provides exceptions to protect the life of the mother and in cases of medical emergencies.

Despite achieving this important milestone, legal challenges are anticipated in the forthcoming weeks and months. Anti-abortion rights Republicans in the state, including Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, have been actively opposing the coalition's efforts in court for the past few months. The coalition was initially involved in several lawsuits, which they eventually won, enabling them to advance the proposed amendment to the signature-collecting phase.

While it remains uncertain whether the amendment will appear on the primary or general election ballot, it is within the sole discretion of Republican Governor Mike Parson to decide. Governor Parson can choose to place the proposed amendment on the August 6 primary ballot or the November 5 general election ballot under state law.

Missouri is one of eleven states where organizers are seeking to codify abortion rights in state constitutions through citizen-led ballot initiatives. Officially, such measures have already made it onto the ballot in Maryland, New York, and Florida.

The outcome of this ballot measure effort will undoubtedly have significant implications for abortion rights in Missouri and may shape the broader national conversation on reproductive freedom.