Missouri voters enshrine abortion rights in a state that has a near-total ban

Associated Press

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri voters have enshrined abortion rights in the state constitution. Voters passed a measure Tuesday that is expected to end the state’s near-total abortion ban. Missouri enacted the ban almost immediately after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022. The amendment guarantees people’s right to make decisions about their reproductive health, including decisions about abortion, birth control and in vitro fertilization. The measure also allows the legislature to restrict or ban abortion after fetal viability, which some abortion-rights advocates oppose. Missouri voters also approved measures to prohibit ranked-choice voting and to raise the minimum wage gradually and require paid sick leave.