Missouri's Abortion Rights Battle Heads to Court Amid Controversy

Legal challenges are being filed by both supporters and opponents of a proposed constitutional amendment to restore abortion rights in Missouri. The state had banned almost all abortions after the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022. The court has until September 10 to finalize the ballot language for the November vote.

Both sides in Missouri's abortion rights debate have filed last-minute legal challenges to influence whether a proposed constitutional amendment goes before voters.

Missouri banned nearly all abortions following the US Supreme Court's 2022 reversal of Roe v. Wade. In response, a campaign aims to amend the state constitution to guarantee abortion rights. State courts have a deadline of September 10 to finalize any changes to the November ballot, according to Secretary of State's office spokesperson JoDonn Chaney. Two Republican lawmakers and an anti-abortion leader filed a lawsuit last week to block the proposal. Senior Counsel Mary Catherine Martin of the Thomas More Society criticized the ballot measure, arguing it would strip vital protections for women and children.

The abortion-rights movement has also taken legal action against Secretary of State Ashcroft over the measure's ballot description. They argue the current language is biased and could prejudice voters. Chaney defended the description, saying it's up to the court to review the language.

This latest legal battle is part of a broader national trend of voter decisions on abortion rights since Roe v. Wade was overturned. Several states, including Arizona and Colorado, will have similar measures on their ballots this year.

(With inputs from agencies.)