Voters to Decide on Abortion Measures in Four States

Why it matters locally: Missouri is one of the four states referenced, with a proposed amendment addressing abortion protections within the state constitution expected to appear on the November ballot. The outcome of this vote will directly determine the legal framework for abortion access in Missouri.

Four states will present abortion-related ballot measures to voters in November. These initiatives follow the Supreme Court's 2022 decision in *Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization*. That ruling concluded that the U.S. Constitution does not confer a right to abortion, returning the authority to regulate abortion to individual states. In Missouri, a proposed amendment addresses abortion protections within the state constitution. Kelly McCoomb, a resident of Maplewood, Missouri, displayed a yard sign in 2024 supporting a 'yes' vote on Amendment 3, an initiative to add abortion protections. For the 2026 election, her altered sign indicates a 'no' vote on Amendment 3 would be necessary to maintain those protections, reflecting changes in the proposed language of the amendment over time. The ballot measures vary by state. Voters will consider proposals that range from codifying abortion access to implementing restrictions.