North Dakota’s Court Ruling Shows Why Strategy Matters—And Why Missouri Must Pass Amendment 3
North Dakota Supreme Court
The North Dakota Supreme Court has upheld a near total abortion ban, ruling that their state constitution does not contain a right to abortion. The decision places North Dakota among the states moving decisively toward a culture that protects children and upholds human dignity. But the most important lesson for Missouri is not simply what North Dakota achieved. It is how they achieved it.
Missouri is in a different legal landscape. After the 2024 amendment, our constitution was rewritten to include broad, dangerous language that courts will interpret aggressively against the pro-life cause. That mistake must be fully undone. The North Dakota ruling gives us a model of what is possible when a state has a clean constitutional foundation. It also shows why Missouri needs a strategic, constitutionally sound amendment like the new Amendment 3.
1. Courts Respond to Clear Constitutional Language
North Dakota’s court did not invent protections for abortion. They read the plain text of their constitution and found no right hiding in it.
Missouri does not have that advantage. The 2024 amendment inserted language that will be used to strike down almost any pro life law we pass. The only way to rebuild a pro life legal framework is to repeal the 2024 language completely and replace it with something courts cannot twist.
That is exactly what Amendment 3 does. It wipes out the bad amendment and replaces it with a strong pro life constitutional foundation.
2. Exceptions Must Be Defined Or Courts Will Define Them For You
North Dakota’s law contains a life of the mother exception and limited rape and incest exceptions early in pregnancy. Whether one agrees with those specific parameters or not, the point is important. The legislature spelled out its definitions, and the court upheld them because they were clearly written.
Missouri’s failed 2024 amendment left everything open to interpretation. Courts will stretch every phrase to its broadest meaning and strike down protections the voters never intended to eliminate.
Amendment 3 restores the ability for Missouri lawmakers to write clear, enforceable protections with carefully defined exceptions based on Missouri values and not activist interpretations.
3. Strong Laws Require Strong Legal Structure
In North Dakota, even with some disagreement among justices, the court upheld strong protections for the unborn because the legal structure allowed it.
Missouri no longer has that structure. The 2024 amendment created a constitutional trap designed to tie the hands of the legislature and block nearly every meaningful pro life law.
Amendment 3 rebuilds the framework we need. It allows the people of Missouri to enact meaningful pro life protections without being overridden by courts citing the disastrous 2024 language.
4. Pro Life Victories Do Not Happen Accidentally. They Happen When Strategy Is Clear
North Dakota’s victory was not random. It was the result of decades of strategic work to prepare their constitution and statutes for a moment like this.
Missouri needs that same clarity. Passing Amendment 3 is the only path that restores strategic footing. It gives us the chance to save real children right now and build a future where life is defended with strength, compassion, and legal coherence.
There is no victory without strategy. North Dakota’s ruling proves it.
Missouri’s Path Forward Is Amendment 3
North Dakota has shown what is possible when a state has a solid constitutional foundation. Missouri lost that foundation in 2024. We will not regain it through wishful thinking or symbolic gestures.
We regain it by passing Amendment 3.
Amendment 3 repeals the abortion-on-demand language. Amendment 3 restores real pro life protections. Amendment 3 gives Missouri a legal framework that courts will actually uphold. Amendment 3 is the path to a culture of life.
North Dakota reminds us what strong legal strategy can accomplish. Missouri must follow it. Missouri must pass Amendment 3.