Following Missourians for Constitutional Freedom’s submission of over 380,000 signatures to put abortion rights on the ballot and end Missouri’s near-total, cruel abortion ban, Missouri Democratic Party Chair Russ Carnahan released the following statement:

“The Missouri Democratic Party congratulates Missourians for Constitutional Freedom and the coalition of community organizers, students, union members, parents, and the many Missourians across the political spectrum who worked hard over the last 80 days to gather nearly 400,000 signatures to put reproductive rights on the ballot. This is a deeply personal issue around decisions that should be made amongst family and medical professionals, not extremist politicians in Jefferson City. We know the majority of Missouri voters, Democratic, Independent, and Republicans, believe their neighbors should have the fundamental right to make their own, personal medical decisions without cruel interference. With signatures from every county in Missouri, the coalition has demonstrated loud and clear that Missouri voters want our elected officials to stop these attacks on our freedom,” said Missouri Democratic Party Chair Russ Carnahan.

“The Missouri Democratic Party has long championed abortion rights and is proud to have endorsed this petition early and to have closely collaborated with the coalition to support this work. Leaders across the Missouri Democratic Party trained over 500 signature gatherers from over 48 counties to host more than 60 events and collect thousands of signatures. Together we made more than 30,000 calls, sent more than 40,000 text messages, and knocked hundreds of doors to see this effort across the finish line and will continue these efforts until we have made abortion care accessible to Missourians who need it.”