Missouri voters approve constitutional amendment to expand abortion rights

Missouri voters have approved a measure to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution, reversing the near-total abortion ban that was in place. The amendment allows abortions up to about 24 weeks and includes health exceptions afterward. This change comes after Missouri's strict abortion laws were enacted following the U.S. Supreme Court's 2022 decision that ended federal abortion protections. The new measure also prohibits discrimination against those providing or seeking reproductive health care. The amendment faced legal challenges before being approved for the ballot. Missouri now joins several other states where voters have expanded abortion rights amid legislative restrictions.