September 26, 2024

In response to reporting on failed Secretary of State candidate and ex-Arnold resident Mary Elizabeth Coleman’s admission that the Missouri Republican supermajority plans to continue to undermine the will of Missouri voters and attack our freedoms, the Missouri Democratic Party released the following statement:

“For years, we have watched Missourians band together and successfully work to address issues when the GOP supermajority refuses to act, like expanding Medicaid coverage, rejecting the so-called ‘right-to-work’ initiative that would have shifted even more power from workers to employers, raising the minimum wage, or legalizing Marijuana. Instead of respecting the will of Missouri voters, Missouri Republicans have worked to defund, undermine, or repeal the results of these referendums and have fought tooth-and-nail to take our right to citizen action away from us,” Communications Director Chelsea Rodriguez said. 

“This bold admission that these attacks on our rights will not stop even after Missouri voters decide is disrespectful to the hardworking Missouri families who expect these elected officials to show up to work for them. We must understand our job in the voting booth is not complete until we pass Amendment 3 and elect Democrats up and down the ballot to protect our rights from this kind of political interference. Missouri Republicans have a well-established pattern to undermine or completely ignore the will of Missouri voters and they will pay for that gross overreach in November.” 

Background: 

Missouri Independent:Failed Gop Attempt To Keep Abortion Off Missouri Ballot Could Foreshadow Fight To Come

“State Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, a Republican from Arnold, is among the anti-abortion activists who sued to keep Amendment 3 off the ballot. She said regardless of what happens in November, there’s a long road ahead. ‘This is not the end all be all,’ Coleman said. ‘And I think you will see efforts, win or lose, for Missourians to get another say in this.’ [...] 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. ‘The reason why you’ve seen such passion in the pro-life movement or from elected officials who are pro-life is because that reflects the passion of Missouri citizens who are pro-life,’ Coleman said. "Which is to do anything and everything to protect the most vulnerable.’”

Kansas City Star: How Quickly Would Abortion Return To Missouri If Voters Approve Amendment In November

“Sen. Mary Elizabeth Coleman, an Arnold Republican, Sam Lee, an anti-abortion lobbyist in Jefferson City, and Seitz each said that they expect lawmakers to pass legislation to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot to strike down Amendment 3 if it passes. ‘That’s certainly going to be a priority of mine,’ said Coleman, who did not offer specifics about what the measure would say. Missouri voters will also decide on Nov. 5 who will become the state’s next governor, a decision that could have significant consequences for access to abortion. Whoever wins will influence how quickly — or slowly — access is restored in the state, including administrative decisions such as approving licenses for abortion providers.”

(LISTEN) The Down Ballot: Missouri Dems Filibuster GOP Into Submission

Springfield News-Leader:

“Missouri was the first state to trigger a near-total abortion ban in 2022 when Roe v. Wade was overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court. Abortions are only allowed in extreme cases to save the life of the mother, but doctors are still hesitant to perform abortions due to the strict legal liability associated with doing so in the state.” 

Following the launch of the campaign to restore abortion rights with the least restrictions, members of the Freedom Caucus engaged in a filibuster to force Senate leaders to bring the initiative petition legislation to a floor debate, citing the abortion measure as a cause for immediate action.”

Kansas City Star:

“Missouri Republicans have for years attacked the state’s initiative petition process, which has been utilized by voters of both parties to bypass the General Assembly and put measures to a statewide vote. The criticism comes as voters have in recent years passed several progressive policies, including marijuana legalization and Medicaid expansion. Republicans argue that the current process has allowed outside interest groups to influence elections. But this year, as a coalition of abortion rights groups embark on a campaign to put abortion rights on the ballot through an initiative petition, Republicans have doubled down on the effort.” 

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Media Contact: 

Chelsea Rodriguez, Communications Director

press@missouridems.org