Missouri voters will have the opportunity to decide on abortion rights in November as the state plans to vote on a constitutional amendment that would reverse its near-total ban on abortion. The initiative received enough valid signatures to qualify for the general election and will need approval from a majority of voters to become part of the state constitution. Missouri will join several other states, including Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Nevada, and South Dakota, in voting on abortion measures during the presidential election.
The ballot measure would create a right to abortion in Missouri until a fetus could likely survive outside the womb without extraordinary medical measures. It would also allow abortions after fetal viability if necessary to protect the life or health of the pregnant woman. Campaign committees supporting the abortion rights initiative have already spent over $5 million and are expected to spend more leading up to the election.
In addition to the abortion measure, Missouri voters will also decide on initiatives raising the state’s minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2026 and legalizing sports betting. The sports betting initiative is supported by the parent companies of DraftKings and FanDuel, as well as Missouri’s six professional sports teams. If passed, Missouri would join most other states in legalizing sports betting and increasing funding for education.
The outcome of these initiatives, along with the November elections for top offices in the state, is likely to have a significant impact on Missouri’s political landscape. Abortion, sports betting, and minimum wage will all be important issues for voters to consider as they head to the polls.
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