Missouri officials debate abortion ballot initiative wording

The office of Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft is appealing Circuit Judge Jon Beetem’s order rewriting a summary of a proposed constitutional amendment voters will decide on next year. If passed, the amendment would invalidate a Missouri law that protects unborn babies from abortion except in cases of medical emergency.

What are the different wordings under consideration? Ashcroft described the amendment permitting the killing of unborn children as one that would “allow for dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions, from conception to live birth, without requiring a medical license or potentially being subject to medical malpractice.” Beetem rewrote the amendment description, saying it would give women the “right to make decisions about reproductive healthcare, including abortion and contraception.”

Dig deeper: Read Denny Burk’s column in WORLD Opinions about whether former President Donald Trump is retreating from protecting the unborn as he runs for reelection.