JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — Missouri voters enshrined abortion rights in their constitution Tuesday, positioning the state to undo one of the nation’s most restrictive abortion bans.
“Tonight, through the sheer will and power of the people, Missouri becomes the first state to end a total abortion ban at the ballot box,” Abortion Action Missouri Executive Director Mallory Schwarz said in a statement.
Missouri currently allows abortions only in cases of medical emergencies. There are no exceptions for rape or incest. The amendment guarantees people’s right to make decisions about their reproductive health, such as whether to get an abortion, take birth control or get in vitro fertilization.
But the amendment does not explicitly undo the law, meaning abortion-rights advocates will need to sue to overturn the ban.
The campaign against the amendment, Missouri Stands with Women, pledged Tuesday to continue fighting it.
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