Amendment 3

After Missouri voters passed Amendment 3 in November, enshrining the right to an abortion, Planned Parenthood sued to strike down several abortion restrictions in state law. A judge on Friday blocked some but not all of the restrictions.

Republican lawmakers have proposed a number of constitutional amendments that would overturn Amendment 3. Some include exceptions for survivors of rape or incest, a departure from the party’s recent stance on abortion.

Judge Jerri Zhang has yet to issue her ruling in a lawsuit filed by Planned Parenthood that seeks to strike down the state’s ban on abortions. A voter-approved amendment protecting abortion access goes into effect Friday.

After voters approved Amendment 3 in November, Planned Parenthood attorneys want to overturn a number of Missouri laws that regulate abortion services and providers. A court decision on the lawsuit could come soon.

Anti-abortion rights groups and politicians argued before the November election that Amendment 3 would block most abortion restrictions. But Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey is now arguing it doesn’t overturn some restrictions on clinics.

Religious leaders had challenged the state’s near-total ban on the grounds it contained explicitly religious language.

At a rally on Thursday, Amendment 3 supporters said they expect legal challenges from legislators who oppose abortion.

Missouri voters passed a majority of the proposed ballot measures, amending the state constitution to ensure the right to an abortion, legalizing sports gambling in the state and more.

Missourians approved Amendment 3, which would place language in the state constitution legalizing abortion.

Lamar Hunt Jr., son of the late founder of the Chiefs, has long been vocal about his opposition to abortion. A business connected to the Hunts donated $300,000 for radio ads across Missouri opposing Amendment 3.