Resolution to put abortion back on Missouri ballot advances
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - It’s not deja vu. Missourians could be heading to the polls to vote on abortion again.
The Missouri House of Representatives advanced a resolution Thursday that would put abortion access back on the ballot. This resolution would ban abortion except in the cases of rape, incest or a medical emergency. If it gets approval from the Senate, Missourians could see it on their ballots in 2026.
“Missourians have always ed a culture of life; they also desire to influence the government through their elected representatives and participate via their personal vote,” said Rep. Brian Seitz, the sponsor of the resolution.
It was only five months ago that some Missourians were celebrating the age of Amendment Three, once again allowing abortion in the state.
Missouri voters ed Amendment Three in November, overturning the state’s abortion ban, with 52% of the vote. Amendment Three was put on the ballot by initiative petition, having to receive thousands of signatures from people all over Missouri. It faced several legal challenges along the way, going all the way to the state’s Supreme Court before the matter was settled.
A Jackson County Judge stopped Missouri’s licensing requirements for abortion providers, saying they were unfairly restrictive and singled out abortion providers in February. Shortly after, Planned Parenthood started offering abortions at several locations.
House Democrats, led by Rep. Ashley Aune, tried to convince their colleagues on the other side of the aisle to change their vote on this resolution.
“We are here fighting this because the Speaker of the House prioritized overturning the will of the voters, not just on Proposition A, where workers have been fighting for a paid sick leave and a living wage, but on Amendment Three,” Aune said.
But the top Republican in the House of Representatives voted against his party here. Speaker of the House Jon Patterson notes that his hometown of Lee’s Summit voted in favor of Amendment Three.
“The ‘no’ vote for me was very easy,” Patterson said. “I didn’t think it was something my constituents would be in favor of.”
At the same time, the Missouri Senate stayed up all night debating a measure to repeal paid sick leave ed in November. They did not come to an agreement.
Prop A, ed by voters in November, promised one hour of paid sick leave for every 30 hours worked. In addition, a new minimum wage went into effect at the beginning of this year. Effective New Year’s Day, Missouri’s new minimum wage is $13.75 per hour. In 2026, it will rise to $15 an hour, and then rise each year based on the Consumer Price Index.
The Missouri Supreme Court is also weighing a lawsuit that aims to overturn the voter-approved paid sick leave. Several business groups brought this lawsuit forward because they’re concerned about the effects that Proposition A could have on the state’s economy. But some small businesses stepped up to defend it. The court has not yet made a ruling.
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