Missourians for Constitutional Freedom | Missourians Vote YES on Amendment 3, Enshrining a Fundamental Right to Reproductive Freedom

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November 5, 2024

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Missourians Vote YES on Amendment 3, Enshrining a Fundamental Right to Reproductive Freedom

Missouri was the first state in the nation to face a total abortion ban after Dobbs, now it’s the first state in the nation to end a total ban at the ballot box.

Jefferson City — Tonight, Missourians made history and voted “Yes” on Amendment 3, enshrining the right of all Missourians to make their own decisions about reproductive health care, including abortion, birth control, and miscarriage care, in the state constitution. The passage of the amendment will put an end to Missouri’s total abortion ban, which has prohibited abortion care even in cases of rape, incest, and when a woman’s health is at risk. After the Dobbs decision, Missouri was the first state in the nation to face a total abortion ban, now it’s the first state in the nation to end a total ban at the ballot box. Amendment 3 will take effect on December 5.

Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, a grassroots coalition of organizations and volunteers, is celebrating the victory as a monumental step toward restoring personal freedoms and ensuring politicians no longer interfere in deeply personal health care decisions.

Rachel Sweet, Campaign Manager, Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, said:

“Today, Missourians made history and sent a clear message: decisions around pregnancy, including abortion, birth control, and miscarriage care are personal and private and should be left up to patients and their families, not politicians. By passing Amendment 3, Missourians have put the power to make personal health care decisions back where it belongs — in the hands of Missourians, their families, and their health care providers. I am incredibly proud of the tireless work from our coalition and grassroots supporters who made this day possible. This win is proof that Missourians are ready for a future where everyone has access to the health care they need.”

Mallory Schwarz, Executive Director, Abortion Action Missouri said:

“Tonight, through the sheer will and power of the people, Missouri becomes the first state to end a total abortion ban at the ballot box. Looking back over this year, the thousands of volunteers, the hundreds of thousands who signed the petition across all 114 counties, and the millions who voted — it’s impossible to not see the power of Missourians when we come together and take action. All people deserve the freedom to access abortion, to access all reproductive health care, throughout our lives, on our own terms, and with dignity and respect. That’s what we proved today — that Missourians know better than any politicians what’s best for our state, for our communities, for our families — and for ourselves. And today’s win is just the beginning.”

Kayla Reed, Executive Director, Action STL said:

“Today’s win belongs to every grassroots organizer, volunteer, and supporter who fought for the right to safe and legal reproductive health care. Missourians have shown that we will not be silenced in the face of abortion bans, and together, we have put back the power to make personal health care decisions where it belongs — in the hands of individuals and families, not politicians.”

Tori Schafer, Director of Policy and Campaigns, ACLU of Missouri, said:

“The Show-Me State proved to the country that reproductive decisions belong to the people, not politicians. Folks from many backgrounds joined our grassroots coalition with the common goal of uniting together to protect the fundamental right to reproductive freedom in our state. Together, we weathered the oppressive tactics of out-of-touch politicians, overcame attempts to run out the clock that left us up against nearly impossible deadlines, and won time and time again in court to ensure Missourians would get to vote on Amendment 3 at the ballot box. Today’s win is a victory for all Missourians and a crucial step in the path to restoring meaningful access to abortion care.”

Emily Wales, President and CEO, Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes said:

“Missourians can’t agree on baseball, barbecue, or how to pronounce our state’s name, but we came together today in support of this fundamental truth: everyone must be free to make their own health care decisions. Today’s vote is the first step to end the abortion ban that has harmed countless patients and targeted providers. Anti-abortion politicians masterminded this ban, sought to silence the people’s voice, and worked to undermine the mandate of Missourians to restore access to abortion care. But we overcame every obstacle they threw in our path to arrive here today. We celebrate tonight. Tomorrow, the fight continues.”

Margot Riphagen, Vice President of External Affairs, Planned Parenthood Great Rivers Action, said:

“Tonight, Missourians have taken a clear stand. By passing Amendment 3, we’ve made it clear that the government has no place in our deeply personal health care decisions. This victory represents a new chapter for reproductive rights in Missouri, and I’m proud of our state for standing up for compassion, dignity, and protection for the individual freedom to make these deeply personal decisions.”

Kelly Hall, Executive Director, The Fairness Project, said:

“Tonight’s results in Missouri underscore the power of direct democracy, where citizens are able to shape the decisions that impact their lives and communities. Missourians have shown that protecting personal healthcare rights is a matter of individual choice and community values, beyond partisan divides. We are honored to stand with the advocates who worked tirelessly to restore Missourians’ freedom to make their own healthcare decisions and strengthen the democratic voice of the people.”

Missourians for Constitutional Freedom was fueled by grassroots supporters all over Missouri. In May, the coalition turned in over 380,000 signatures to the Secretary of State’s office, and knocked more than 275,000 doors to turn out the vote. It’s the work of the organizers and volunteers on the ground that made today’s victory possible. This victory belongs to every Missourian who worked tirelessly to gather support and ensure that personal healthcare decisions are returned to the people.

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About Missourians for Constitutional Freedom

Missourians for Constitutional Freedom is a statewide coalition of organizations and concerned citizens working to ensure all Missourians have the power to make decisions about our own reproductive health care – including abortion, birth control, and miscarriage care – without interference from politicians. Learn more: www.moconstitutionalfreedom.org

Paid for by Missourians for Constitutional Freedom

Mike Pridmore, Treasurer