Missouri: Over 380K Signatures Submitted to Overturn Abortion Ban

A campaign aimed at embedding Missouri abortion rights into the state's constitution has surged ahead, announcing the collection of over 380,000 signatures in just three months.

This tally is more than twice the anticipated count required to qualify for this year's statewide ballot, Missouri Independent reports.

The coalition spearheading this initiative, known as Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, aims to propose a law permitting abortion until the fetus can survive outside the womb.

Since June 2022, nearly all Missouri abortion types have been prohibited except in cases of medical emergencies.

To qualify for the ballot, the campaign had to collect signatures from 8% of voters in six out of Missouri's eight congressional districts, surpassing 171,000 signatures.

On Friday, the coalition proudly declared the submission of 380,159 signatures to the Missouri Secretary of State's office.

While a breakdown of signatures by district was not provided, the coalition assures signatures were collected across all counties and congressional districts in Missouri.

Stepping Towards Ballot Inclusion

Missourians for Constitutional Freedom deposited their trove of signatures at the Secretary of State's Office, well surpassing the necessary threshold.

Pending verification by election officials, the proposed amendment could find its place on the ballot, likely in November.

This significant milestone marks a day of jubilation for supporters of turning over the Missouri abortion ban, according to The Kansas City Star.

The coalition's tireless efforts, spanning every county in the state, have been bolstered by substantial fundraising, totaling nearly $5 million since the campaign's inception.

The proposed constitutional amendment seeks to codify the right to abortion while affording lawmakers the flexibility to regulate the procedure post-fetal viability.

Fetal viability is defined as the stage in pregnancy when a healthcare professional determines, based on the circumstances, a significant likelihood of sustained fetal survival outside the uterus without extraordinary medical intervention.

Missouri's journey towards securing abortion rights faces resistance from anti-abortion factions.

Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, running for governor, previously proposed inflammatory language for the ballot question, intended to undermine public support.

Legal challenges ensued, resulting in the dismissal of the partisan wording.

The ACLU of Missouri, instrumental in the legal battle, welcomed Friday's signature submission, emphasizing the collective desire for bodily autonomy free from political interference.

Statewide Implications

Campaign against Missouri abortion ban unfolds against a backdrop of nationwide efforts to address reproductive rights post-Roe v. Wade.

States like Missouri, which have enacted stringent abortion bans, witness a growing pushback through citizen-led initiatives.

The fate of the Missouri abortion rights amendment now rests with Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft, tasked with verifying the signatures, KY3 noted.

Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers engage in internal disputes over proposed constitutional amendments aimed at altering the process for enacting future amendments.

With only two weeks remaining before the legislative deadline, tensions escalate as competing versions of the proposed amendment circulate between the House and Senate, raising uncertainty about its passage.

In the face of mounting legal and political challenges, Missourians for Constitutional Freedom remain resolute in their pursuit of securing fundamental reproductive rights for all citizens.

As the battle unfolds, the outcome holds profound implications for the future of abortion rights in Missouri and beyond.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Ross Key

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