Restoring Missouri women’s reproductive rights takes more than just yes on Amendment 3 | Opinion

Over the last several months, I’ve knocked on thousands of doors to engage with voters on the issues that are important to them. I’ve heard countless times how important it is that Missouri restores access to abortion and reproductive freedom.

I’ve talked to grandmothers who are fed up with the fact that their granddaughters are back fighting for the same rights they won more than 50 years ago, and to young families who simply want the freedom to be able to make their own reproductive health care decisions in their doctor’s office.

I was pleased to read The Star’s recent endorsement of Amendment 3. I strongly encourage Missourians to vote yes on 3, but we can’t stop there. Simply approving Amendment 3 will not be enough to truly restore and protect reproductive rights in our state so long as the Republican supermajority in the legislature remains opposed to these rights.

As a reminder, Republicans worked for decades to restrict access to abortion before ushering in the trigger ban, which brought a total ban on abortions, with no exceptions for rape or incest immediately after the announcement of the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade. Now, Republican politicians are already discussing their plan to reverse Amendment 3 once it passes.

As the nonprofit Missouri Independent reported:

“State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, a Republican from Arnold, is among the anti-abortion activists who sued to keep Amendment 3 off the ballot. … Coleman said if the amendment passes, it will not be the last time Missourians vote on abortion, adding that an effort similar to the one that undid Clean Missouri is likely.”

That is why, to ensure that the will of the voters is upheld and protected, we must also elect Democrats to the Missouri General Assembly to guard against Republican attacks on reproductive rights.

I am proud to be running for the Missouri Senate to restore reproductive rights, to uphold the outcome of Amendment 3, and to bring common sense and moderation back to Jefferson City.

I’m honored to join an impressive team of candidates throughout the state who support reproductive rights. If Senate Democrats can protect our current seats and flip just two of the several swing districts across the state, we will break the Republican supermajority in the upper chamber. Breaking the supermajority would make it incredibly difficult for Republicans to undermine Amendment 3.

So remember, on Election Day, ending Missouri’s abortion ban is a two-step process: Step 1: Vote yes on Amendment 3. Step 2: Elect candidates who support your vote and will honor it in Jefferson City.

You have my word that I always have, and always will, protect your rights and your vote.