Missouri Abortion Rights Initiative Petition, Amendment 3, Officially Verified and Set for the November Ballot
August 13, 2024
More than 380,000 Missourians from All 114 Counties Signed the Petition to End Missouri’s Cruel Abortion Ban at the Ballot Box
Missouri — Today, the Missouri Secretary of State’s Office officially verified that Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the coalition committed to ending Missouri’s abortion ban, submitted enough signatures to put the Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative on the ballot on November 5, 2024. A YES vote on Amendment 3 will give Missouri women and doctors the freedom to make decisions around pregnancy — including abortion, birth control, and miscarriage care — free from political interference.
Rachel Sweet, Campaign Manager for Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, said:
“This is a major step forward for our campaign and for Missourians who want to end our state’s cruel abortion ban. The successful submission of more than 380,000 signatures, collected from all 114 counties in Missouri, is a testament to the hard work and dedication of thousands of volunteers and supporters who believe we must end Missouri’s total abortion ban.”
“As we turn our attention to the November ballot, it’s clear Missourians overwhelmingly support reproductive freedom and will have the chance to make their voices heard at the ballot box. We are ready to fight so all Missourians can take back the freedom to make their own health care decisions.”
Mallory Schwarz, Executive Director for Abortion Action Missouri, said:
“Right now in Missouri, abortion is banned, patients are being turned away from emergency rooms, and doctor’s hands are tied by politicians. This amendment is about making sure pregnant Missourians get the care they need without delay or restrictions.”
“A yes vote ends the abortion ban so that Missouri patients, families, and doctors can make personal and private decisions about pregnancy and abortion care, without politicians interfering. This amendment, this effort to end Missouri’s abortion ban is Missouri-grown. Missourians from Cape Girardeau to Maryville have been working together and taking action to make this initiative a reality. We’re committed to this cause because we live here; we’ve grown up here; we have families here; and we are taking back what’s ours.”
Tori Schafer, Director for Policy and Campaigns for ACLU of Missouri, said:
“Voting YES on this amendment ends Missouri’s extreme, cruel abortion ban. Amendment 3 is crucial for restoring fundamental rights and ensuring that all Missourians have access to reproductive health care. This is about safeguarding our freedoms and protecting the health and dignity of every person in our state so that decisions around abortion, birth control, and miscarriage care are left up to patients and their families – not politicians.”
Dr. Selina Sandoval, Associate Medical Director for Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes, said:
“Patients’ lives are at risk every day in Missouri because extremist politicians banned abortion. We can and we are going to change that in November. As a physician, I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impact this ban has had on Missouri patients, many of whom travel hours from home if they can get an appointment, while others simply cannot access care. In all my years of training – medical school, residency, fellowship – I was never taught how to explain to a patient why their rights depended on their zip code. As Missourians, we deserve better, and I am grateful to the volunteers and advocates who have worked tirelessly to make sure my hands are not tied by politicians and my patients can access life-affirming care.”
Margot Riphagen, Vice President of External Affairs for Planned Parenthood Great Rivers Action, said:
“Missourians have been suffering under a total abortion ban with no exceptions, leaving women and families in unimaginable circumstances. Politicians in Jefferson City have stripped away access to essential reproductive health care, forcing Missourians to face dangerous pregnancy complications without the care they need, particularly in rural parts of the state where access to reproductive care is already limited.”
“This cruel and unjust ban has put countless lives at risk and denied people the fundamental right to make their own health care decisions. By passing this amendment, we can end Missouri’s total abortion ban and ensure that Missourians regain access to comprehensive reproductive health care. It’s time to put control back in the hands of individuals and protect the health and dignity of our communities.”
To join our campaign, sign up at moconstitutionalfreedom.org.
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About Missourians for Constitutional Freedom
Missourians for Constitutional Freedom is a statewide coalition of organizations and concerned citizens working to establish the right for all Missourians to make decisions about our own reproductive health care – including abortion, birth control, and miscarriage care – without interference from politicians.
Paid for by Missourians for Constitutional Freedom
Mike Pridmore, Treasurer