Opponents of a Republican plan to redraw Missouri's U.S. House districts march through a hallway outside the state Senate chamber in Jefferson City, Mo., Wednesday, Sept. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/David A. Lieb)

A Missouri judge has struck down the ballot summary for a Republican-backed anti-abortion constitutional amendment due to an unclear description.

The decision was made by Cole County Circuit Judge Daniel Green last Friday, who ruled that the summary must be rewritten for clarity and fairness. Green concluded that Republican lawmakers failed to alert voters that the amendment would repeal the reproductive rights section of the Missouri Constitution and ban abortion in most cases.

Voters upheld the right to reproductive freedom last November when they passed Amendment 3 by a 51.6%-48.4% margin. Since Amendment 3’s passage, the Republican-controlled state legislature has attempted to undermine access to abortion care through legislation. In May, Republicans shut down debate to fast track the passage of their anti-abortion amendment, which is set to appear on the ballot in November 2026.

Even though Green ordered a revision for the ballot summary, he also rejected a request to block the amendment altogether, which was led by abortion-rights advocates in the state. Secretary of State Denny Hoskins (R) has until Friday to submit the revised summary.