Missouri judge’s ruling throws last-minute curveball in abortion ballot fight

September 10, 2024

The future of a Missouri abortion rights amendment is now in the hands of the state’s Supreme Court, following a ruling late last week.

The Hill reports that Cole County Circuit Judge Christopher Limbaugh ruled last Friday that the amendment violates state law and that backers of the amendment did not adequately inform voters about its ramifications.

Abortion is currently illegal in Missouri with limited exceptions for the life and health of the mother.

The proposed amendment, if passed, would permit abortion up to roughly 24 weeks or when the fetus has reached viability, meaning the point in pregnancy where it could survive outside of the womb.

Pro-life activists and lawmakers had filed a lawsuit against the ballot measure, saying that the amendment “would repeal Missouri’s ban on abortion that does not disclose to voters that it will repeal Missouri’s ban on abortion.” 

Limbaugh said that backers of the amendment failed to list the existing laws that would be repealed if the amendment were to pass. The judge added that the measure was “insufficient” and a “blatant violation” of the statutory requirements but declined to issue an injunction to allow time for proponents to appeal ahead of Tuesday’s deadline.

According to The Hill, Missouri is one of 10 states that could potentially vote on an abortion rights amendment in November.

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