Millions of dollars have poured into a campaign to overturn Missouri’s near-total abortion ban, energizing voters across the state. Polling has suggested the constitutional amendment currently has enough support to pass in November
But, if the measure does pass on Nov. 5, what happens in the days, weeks and months after the vote? For all of the excitement, the actual process and timeline of restoring abortion access remains incredibly murky.
Even before it banned nearly all abortions in 2022, Missouri had for decades enacted restrictions on providers that whittled down access to just one clinic by 2019 . Those laws, as well as the abortion ban itself, would likely have to be struck down in court if the amendment, called Amendment 3, passes.
“I do think it will be frustrating to Missourians that they don’t have restored rights the day after the vote,” said Emily Wales, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Great Plains Votes. “We’ll be working to make clear to the court that the people of Missouri want to have this right restored. They want to have care available again and the courts have to move quickly.”