‘Voters want restrictions’; State rep from West County wants abortion restrictions back on ballot

WILDWOOD, Mo. (First Alert 4) - Nearly three million Missourians voted on Amendment 3 and, by more than a three-point margin, voted to legalize abortion in Missouri. Less than a week later, Republican lawmakers are already considering putting abortion back on the ballot.

“It is clear that many people that voted for Amendment 3 did so under information that was false,” said State Rep. Justin Sparks.

Rep. Justin Sparks, a Republican, announced this week he’s running for Speaker of the Missouri House, and if given the job, he said, on day one, they would look to address abortion going into the Missouri Constitution.

“Should three cities determine what everybody lives under for the entire state? I say no,” said Sparks.

Sparks pointed out that the counties including St. Louis, Columbia, and Kansas City overwhelmingly voted in favor of the abortion amendment.

In Missouri, lawmakers cannot unilaterally change the state constitution, and in turn, change the language of abortion legalization. However, they can pass a constitutional amendment that would go to voters seeking, again, to restrict abortion access.

“The polling data alone is very strong that voters want restrictions,” said Sparks.

Democrats on the other side of the House chambers don’t think it’s a wise move.

“Another example where the Republicans have kind of made it their effort to say ‘despite whatever you all say we can dictate best for how you should be living your lives,’” said Marty Joe Murray.

Marty Joe Murray, a Democrat, was recently elected to represent a portion of St. Louis in the Missouri House.

“When you see the voters actively go out and get signatures, it passes, we change our constitution, and for them to make this their number one priority to change the will of the people, I find it very discouraging,” said Murray.

Murray also believes an abortion ban in the Show-Me State wouldn’t fly with voters.

“I would just say best of luck,” said Murray. “And we’ll be back at the polls.”

Complicating Sparks’ path is a push he supports that would also make it harder for Missourians to change the state constitution. He says he wants to change the state’s initiative petition process to get out-of-state money out of Missouri politics.

“I would because it’s the right thing to do,” said Sparks.

Even though it would make it that much harder for his side to restrict abortion access.

Sparks also believes that due to vague language, Amendment 3 could be tied up in the courts for a while. He said during that period, his Republican colleagues can determine if there is a workable solution to chip away at Amendment 3 that they can legally pursue at the legislative level, without going directly to voters.