A reproductive rights group in Montana has submitted signatures to put a state constitutional amendment protecting the right to abortion on the ballot in November.
Montanans Securing Reproductive Rights (MSRR) announced Friday that it has turned in more than 117,000 signatures – nearly double the approximately 60,000 necessary – to qualify your measure for the general election ballot.
Montana is one of several states where organizers are pushing to enshrine the right to abortion through state constitutions after the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade. Wade and ended federal protections for abortion access two years ago. Democrats also hope the measures will increase turnout and help abortion rights candidates in competitive races.
“As we approach the second anniversary of the repeal of Roe v. Wade, we are reminded why this amendment is so important to Montana families,” said Martha Fuller, president and CEO of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Montana and spokesperson for MSRR, in a statement.
“In Montana, our rights are being targeted by radical anti-abortion politicians who are trying every trick possible to steal our freedom to make private medical decisions. But Montanans are showing up to say they are ready to protect the right to abortion,” Fuller said.
Submitting the signature, however, does not immediately mean the measure will appear on the November ballot — as county-level counts must be verified and sent to the Montana secretary of state for approval before the effort can be officially qualified, he noted. MSRR.
Ballot measures aimed at protecting abortion rights are already on the ballot in Colorado, Florida, Maryland and South Dakota – and efforts are underway in Arizona, Missouri and Nevada, among others.
The issue of abortion assumes great importance in the 2024 elections in the wake of the overturn of Roe, and the latest development in Montana comes just days before the second anniversary of the Supreme Court’s historic ruling.
This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story
