Ten states were voting on so called Right to Abortion Initiatives, including Florida where people rejected the idea of making abortion a constitutional right and doing away with pro-life protections.
Those fighting for protection for the unborn in Missouri were disappointed. Abortion is now a constitutional right in Missouri.
Missouri went into the election as one of the nation’s most restrictive states for abortion.
Overall, abortion amendments won in seven out of 10 states. Nebraska and South Dakota joined Florida in defeating proposed abortion amendments.
Carol Tobias of National Right to Life Committee (NRLC):
“Florida was definitely a bright spot. Proponents of abortion did not get the required 60% of the vote, but another big spot was South Dakota. They had a huge rejection of amending their state's pro-life law and then the third success was in Nebraska where voters were faced with a law that would keep their current abortion law which was 'no abortion after 12 weeks' or eliminating all protections for unborn children throughout pregnancy. So, they had two different measures and the more pro-life one with the stronger protection survived. The other one did not."
So, out of 10 states, Tobias says, "we had three solid victories."
In Missouri, the landscape is different, but the fight for life protections carries on.
Susan Klein of Missouri Right to Life:
"Even though the results are not what we had hoped for, it's not the end of our mission. We must be the voice for those who have no voice, especially now. It's really just the beginning of our battle here in Missouri to restore protection to the unborn and to women and babies in our state. So, while this battle is lost you know there are pro-life Missourians that are going to continue to fight, and we encourage people to go to our website MissouriLife.org.”
Options still on the table
Klein says her organization is going to be "looking at this from many perspectives." The group will continue to support pro-life legislation and will rally at the capital and elsewhere. Legal challenges will be considered when appropriate.
"We will let our legislators know that we want Missouri to be a pro-life state where babies and families can thrive together. So, take a breath. It is a sad day; however we will rise again, and we will move forward and make Missouri a pro-life state again. We will work to protect babies and help families see the value of every life."
