Missouri voters approve constitutional amendment to protect abortion rights

Missouri voters have added abortion rights to their state constitution, challenging one of the strictest abortion bans in the U.S. Currently, abortions are only permitted in medical emergencies, with no exceptions for rape or incest. The new amendment guarantees the right to make decisions about reproductive health, including abortion. However, it does not automatically overturn the existing ban, meaning legal action will be needed to enforce these rights. The amendment allows the state legislature to impose restrictions after a fetus is deemed viable. This has raised concerns among some abortion-rights advocates about potential limitations on access to abortion services.