Pro-abortion groups sue Missouri after a ballot measure passes

Planned Parenthood affiliates petitioned a circuit court in Jackson County, Mo., on Wednesday to block several state laws protecting babies from abortion after voters approved a ballot measure enshrining abortion under the state’s constitution. The ballot measure barred the government from denying or infringing on reproductive freedoms, including prenatal care, childbirth—and according to Planned Parenthood—abortion. The amendment prohibits the government from outlawing abortion before the baby reaches viability, about 24 weeks into a pregnancy. The lawsuit sought to block the enforcement of multiple pro-life laws before the new amendment takes effect on Dec. 5.

What kind of pro-life laws does Missouri have? The 2022 overturning of Roe v. Wade triggered a statewide law protecting all babies from abortion, except in medical emergencies. The lawsuit aimed to stop the abortion moratorium and end laws that it says regulate abortion differently based on the motives for having one. The lawsuit also aims to stop the enforcement of what Planned Parenthood describes as “TRAP laws”—state-mandated medical standards required for abortion facilities which abortion advocates allege unfairly target and limit abortion providers.

With 99% of votes counted in Missouri, the ballot initiative to enshrine abortion under the state’s constitution received about 52% support. The Missouri amendment, which is to take effect Dec. 5, does not specifically override any state laws. Without an injunction, women and women's health providers will suffer irreparable harm, being unable to exercise a constitutionally protected right to reproductive freedom, the complaint argued.

Planned Parenthood Federation of America and the American Civil Liberties Union filed the case on behalf of the Comprehensive Health of Planned Parenthood Great Plains and Planned Parenthood Great Rivers. Missourians voted to end the abortion ban, and this lawsuit is the next step in fulfilling that amendment’s promise, said the ACLU of Missouri’s Director of Policy and Campaigns Tori Schafer.

How are pro-life advocates responding to the passing vote? The amendment passage is heartbreaking, but pro-life groups will continue fighting for Missouri’s unborn, said the Alliance for Life CEO Marsha Middleton in a Wednesday video. Volunteers worked very hard to educate the community on the evils of this amendment which did narrow the margin, she added. Missouri is now far less free with late-term abortions protected under its constitution, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America Director of State Affairs Sue Liebel said in a Tuesday night statement. This amendment will strip Missourians of parental consent and force them to pay for abortions, she added. However, human rights battles are not won overnight and great injustices have taken time and persistence to rectify, Liebel continued.

Dig deeper: Read Leah Savas' report for more on the pro-amendment passed by the pro-Trump state.