ST. LOUIS — One of the most controversial Missouri amendments will be up for a vote on Nov. 5.
If passed, Amendment 3 would reverse the state's abortion ban, which went into effect in 2022 after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Missouri became the first state to do this.
Governor Mike Parson wrote a letter asking Missourians to join him in voting "NO" on Amendment 3. To view the letter, click here.
In that same letter, the Republican governor said the amendment "also opens the door to allow children to get sex change operations without parents’ knowledge in our state."
Coalition Life, an organization aiming to end abortion services, shared this statement from its Executive Director Brian Westbrook:
"We are incredibly thankful for the strong leadership of Governor Michael Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson in their ongoing efforts to protect the rights and well-being of Missouri’s families and children. In their powerful letter, they clearly lay out why Amendment 3 is a threat to Missouri, our parental rights, and the future of our children.
In his recent letter, Governor Parson reminds us that Amendment 3, written by out-of-state pro-abortion groups, would not only strip parents of their ability to make critical decisions for their children but also jeopardize protections for women and children. This amendment opens the door to radical changes, allowing children to undergo life-altering sex-change operations, without parental knowledge. It would also enshrine extreme abortion measures allowing abortion in all nine months of pregnancy.
We stand with Governor Parson in urging you to Vote NO on Amendment 3. We must act now to keep our state on a path that values life, protects parental rights, and ensures that families—not out-of-state activists—decide what's best for Missouri."
However, 5 On Your Side's Political Analyst Anita Manion said there's nothing in the amendment indicating that.
"It is focused on reproductive rights, which would include abortion, contraception, things like IVF," Manion explained, who is an assistant professor of political science at the University of Missouri-St. Louis.
Amendment 3 seeks to legalize abortion until the point of fetal viability, which is about 24 weeks.
Recent billboards popping up say it also includes more. Some billboards say, 'No Tax Paid Transgender Surgery', others say 'Amendment 3 Could Allow Gender Transition for Kids'.
"There's nothing in Amendment 3 that talks about transgender care, but they're saying other reproductive rights must mean that there can be this radical transgender agenda. Part of that is, they think that this is the issue they have more support from Americans on, than they do on abortion," Manion shared.
According to a recent Saint Louis University/YouGov Poll, 52% support Amendment 3.
In return, Manion believes anti-abortion advocates are working to sway opinions.
"I think opponents are looking for any angle they can to tell voters that this constitutional amendment is extreme or it's a step too far, or could have unintended consequences," she added.
The Missouri Supreme Court ruled allowing the amendment on the ballot and shared what the amendment can do:
"Amendment 3 does not contain more than a single subject. Article III, section 50 and article XIII, section 2(b) of the state constitution include a prohibition against petitions for constitutional amendment containing more than one subject. In reviewing proposed constitutional measures, the proposal must be liberally and non-restrictively construed so that provisions connected with or incident to effectuating the proposal’s central purpose will not be treated as separate subjects. The provisions of Amendment 3 clearly relate to one subject – the right to reproductive freedom."
Manion also gave this reminder: "Missouri has legislation that has a ban on gender affirming care for minors. So even if that were part of this legislation, then there would be a conflict there," she shared. "I think it's important that voters know what they're voting on and they have accurate and reliable information when they head to the polls."
Election officials are recommending to vote ahead of the November election due to long lines.
No excuse absentee voting begins October 22nd.