Missouri
Activists have proposed language to the secretary of state that could result in a vote on abortion in 2024. The measure, which would amend the state constitution to establish a broad right to abortion, has been entangled in legal wranglings for months. More than 170,000 signatures must be gathered for the proposal to reach the ballot.
A countermeasure, one that would still see abortion legalized in the state, has been proposed by the Missouri Women & Family Research Fund. That group, which was launched by longtime Republican staffer Jamie Corley, argues on its website that the state should provide “reasonable exceptions for abortion care, protection for birth control, and immunity for mothers and doctors against criminal prosecution.” To that end the group submitted multiple proposed constitutional amendments to the state in August.
Abortion is almost completely banned in Missouri with narrow exceptions for the mother’s life and/or health.
Nebraska
The pro-abortion group Protect Our Rights filed language with the secretary of state that could see abortion on the ballot in November. More than 87,000 signatures must be gathered for the proposal to reach the ballot.
The measure, if approved, would “amend the Nebraska Constitution to provide all persons the fundamental right to abortion without interference from the state or its political subdivisions until fetal viability.”
The state earlier this year banned abortion at 12 weeks into pregnancy.
Nevada
A coalition of groups filed language with the secretary of state to put abortion rights to a vote in 2024. The groups must gather more than 102,000 signatures for the proposal to reach the ballot.
The measure, if passed, would affirm current extreme laws on abortion and add to the state constitution a “fundamental right to abortion” up to the point of “fetal viability.” It would also allow for abortions later in pregnancy if a woman’s doctor deems it necessary to end the life of her child.
Earlier this year Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo, a Republican, signed into law a measure to protect abortionists who violate abortion laws in other states and prevent health care licensing boards from disqualifying a person due to his or her participation in providing abortions.
Abortion is legal up until about 24 weeks of pregnancy in the state, or even later in pregnancy if the life of the mother is at risk.
New York
In New York, lawmakers succeeded in getting a proposed amendment on the 2024 ballot. It would add a so-called “right” to abortion to the state constitution in the form of an equal rights amendment.
The proposed amendment to the state constitution was added to the ballot by the state Legislature after passing by a majority vote in both chambers in two consecutive legislative sessions, as required by law.
The amendment stipulates in part that state residents “shall [not] be denied equal rights under the laws [of the state]” on the basis of “pregnancy.” Planned Parenthood Empire State Acts says the amendment would preempt the state from “implementing a state abortion ban,” among other abortion protections.
Abortion is legal in New York through “viability,” though it is largely available after viability as well, given exceptions for the mother’s “mental health.”
South Dakota
In June 2022, a South Dakota Democrat proposed an amendment to the state’s constitution that could result in a vote on abortion in 2024.
The measure would establish “a constitutional right to an abortion” and allow the fatal procedure through all nine months of pregnancy.
Signature-gathering has been spearheaded by the pro-abortion group Dakotans for Health; more than 17,000 signatures must be gathered for the proposal to reach the ballot.
Abortion is almost completely banned in South Dakota barring exceptions to save the mother’s life.
“EWTN Pro-Life Weekly” host Prudence Robertson contributed to this report.
Daniel Payne is a senior editor at Catholic News Agency. He previously worked at the College Fix and Just the News. He lives in Virginia with his family.
Jonah McKeown is a staff writer and podcast producer for Catholic News Agency. He holds a Master’s Degree from the University of Missouri School of Journalism and has worked as a writer, as a producer for public radio, and as a videographer. He is based in St. Louis.