If Missouri’s amendment passes and goes into effect in December, the measure would include a state ban on all stages of pregnancy, a 72-hour waiting period and a 44-inch (112 centimeter) ) does not abolish other regulations such as regulations. This forced Planned Parenthood to halt abortions at two offices in the years before the Roe decision was overturned.
“A yes vote on this is not a vote to overturn anything. This is a vote to ensure that the courts will have to fight it for a long time,” said Republican state Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman.
Coleman, who is also a conservative constitutional law attorney, said the Republican-controlled Congress could retroactively ask voters to repeal the amendment if it passes.
Still, the move would mean “the wind will be on our side” in a legal battle to overturn the regulation, said Planned Parenthood Great, which operates in four states and is the only organization in recent years to do so. said Emily Wales, President and CEO of Plains. To provide abortions in Missouri. The last clinic in Missouri, run by an affiliate of another Planned Parenthood system, stopped providing abortions just before Roe’s decision was overturned.
“Saying, ‘Missourians have constitutional rights,’ would feel very different to us. If you’re going to block that, you’d have to have a pretty good cause,” she said. .
There is also some precedent for amendments that don’t immediately solve everything. Ohio State Measures The law, passed last year, largely repealed a law banning abortions after heart activity is detected, about six weeks before a woman realizes she’s pregnant. Enforcement had already been blocked by the courts. ohio defender has become popular in preliminary litigation against other regulations But these battles are far from over, and lawmakers fear they will block the use of taxpayer funds to support access.
“Less legal restrictions don’t necessarily make sense for people who can’t afford the economic costs,” said Lexis Dotson-Dufault, executive director of the Ohio Abortion Fund.
The most populous state with abortion voting this year is Florida. 60% of voters are required to win. And the administration of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, Suspicion of fraud in signature campaign The process of getting it on the ballot. This could be the basis for a court challenge over whether the amendments come into force on January 7th. Charges against current and former state health department employees Concerning efforts to force television stations to stop running advertisements in favor of the amendment.
Office of Republican State Attorney General Ashley Moody tried to remove the bill from the votedid not respond to interview requests.
Nevada’s bill is not likely to make headlines right away, as it is required by law to pass not just in November but in 2026.
In Colorado and Maryland, NEW YORK — The bill doesn’t say “abortion.” Specifically, it prohibits discrimination based on “pregnancy outcomes.” Abortion is already allowed at least until the baby is viable, but generally after 20 weeks, with some exceptions.
Colorado’s bill would also remove the ban on using taxpayer funds for abortions. Adding abortion coverage to health insurance for public employees and those on Medicaid would require new legislation.
Arizona’s amendment, if approved by voters, would go into effect by proclamation by the governor. The state bans abortions after 15 weeks, and most are performed before that. Earlier this year, some Republican lawmakers in political battleground states joined with Democrats to repeal the more restrictive 1864 Prohibition before it went into effect.
In Nebraska, Ballot includes competing measures: Some have called for banning abortions after 12 weeks of pregnancy, with some exceptions, which would build on the current ban, but leave open the possibility of stricter restrictions. The other would allow abortion until viability.
Amendments require not only majority support but also more votes than other bills to take effect.
In South Dakota, where abortion is prohibited, opponents and Defenders have been fighting That’s all measures to Prohibits states from regulating first-trimester abortions and allows them to regulate second- and third-trimester abortions only under certain health circumstances.
If the measure is adopted and the hurdles are overcome, it will come into force on July 1, 2025.
The Life Defense Fund is focused on campaigning to defeat the bill at the ballot box rather than what happens next, said Caroline Woods, a spokeswoman for the group.
Dakotans for Health is sponsoring the amendment and hopes that if it passes, the Republican-controlled Congress will try to “thread the needle” and impose restrictions in the second term. said Rick Weiland, co-founder of the organization.
And that will likely mean more litigation.
“This is an issue that will never go away,” Weiland said.
