Missouri judge rules abortion ballot initiative not lawful; Nebraska decision next
By Benjamin Hawkins - Posted at Baptist Press:
September 9, 2024
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Missouri judge ruled Friday, Sept. 6, that pro-abortion advocates who led the petition process for Amendment 3, which aims to codify expansive abortion rights within the Missouri Constitution, did not follow state law. The decision leaves open the possibility that Amendment 3 could be stricken from Missouri ballots.
The Missouri Secretary of State’s office announced Aug. 13 that pro-abortion advocates had gathered enough signatures to present their proposed state constitutional Amendment 3 to voters during the Nov. 5 general election.
But, in a lawsuit filed on Aug. 22, Thomas More Society attorneys challenged the inclusion of Amendment 3 on the November ballot. The lawsuit alleges that the initiative petition was erroneously certified by Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s office because it runs afoul of the Missouri Constitution and state statutes.
Attorneys argued that Amendment 3 would repeal essentially all of Missouri’s state statutes and constitutional provisions regulating reproductive care and technologies, including all existing regulation of abortion, cloning, IVF, stem cell research and so-called gender transition surgery.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. – A Missouri judge ruled Friday, Sept. 6, that pro-abortion advocates who led the petition process for Amendment 3, which aims to codify expansive abortion rights within the Missouri Constitution, did not follow state law. The decision leaves open the possibility that Amendment 3 could be stricken from Missouri ballots.
The Missouri Secretary of State’s office announced Aug. 13 that pro-abortion advocates had gathered enough signatures to present their proposed state constitutional Amendment 3 to voters during the Nov. 5 general election.
But, in a lawsuit filed on Aug. 22, Thomas More Society attorneys challenged the inclusion of Amendment 3 on the November ballot. The lawsuit alleges that the initiative petition was erroneously certified by Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s office because it runs afoul of the Missouri Constitution and state statutes.
Attorneys argued that Amendment 3 would repeal essentially all of Missouri’s state statutes and constitutional provisions regulating reproductive care and technologies, including all existing regulation of abortion, cloning, IVF, stem cell research and so-called gender transition surgery.
See also:
- Competing abortion rights ballot initiatives battle at Nebraska Supreme Court | Courthouse News Service
- Nebraska Supreme Court hears abortion petition arguments days before state ballots finalized (wowt.com)
- Fate of Missouri abortion-rights amendment in hands of state Supreme Court • Missouri Independent
- Jay Ashcroft seeks to pull abortion amendment off Missouri ballot weeks after approving it • Missouri Independent
- Missouri Supreme Court to decide on abortion amendment case (kshb.com)
- Missouri Supreme Court rules amendment legalizing abortion will remain on ballot • Missouri Independent
- Update 09.13.2024: Nebraska Supreme Court retains pro- and anti-abortion measures on ballot | Baptist Press
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