Current:Home > FinanceAdvocates seek rewrite of Missouri abortion-rights ballot measure language-DB Wealth Institute B2 Expert Reviews
Advocates seek rewrite of Missouri abortion-rights ballot measure language
View Date:2024-12-24 11:20:09
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) — A Missouri judge will rule Thursday on whether the Republican secretary of state’s official description of an abortion-rights amendment on November’s ballot is misleading.
At issue is a proposed amendment to Missouri’s Constitution that would restore abortion rights in the state, which banned almost all abortions after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in 2022.
At least nine other states will consider constitutional amendments enshrining abortion rights this fall — Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada and South Dakota.
In Missouri, ballot language is displayed at polling centers to help voters understand the impact of voting “yes” or “no” on sometimes complicated ballot measures.
Ballot language written by Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s office says a “yes” vote on the abortion-rights measure would enshrine “the right to abortion at any time of a pregnancy in the Missouri Constitution.”
“Additionally, it will prohibit any regulation of abortion, including regulations designed to protect women undergoing abortions and prohibit any civil or criminal recourse against anyone who performs an abortion and hurts or kills the pregnant women,” according to Ashcroft’s language.
The amendment itself states that the government shall not infringe on an individual’s right to “reproductive freedom,” which is defined as “all matters relating to reproductive health care, including but not limited to prenatal care, childbirth, postpartum care, birth control, abortion care, miscarriage care, and respectful birthing conditions.”
Tori Schafer, a lawyer for the woman who proposed the amendment, said Ashcroft’s official description of the measure is “argumentative, misleading and inaccurate.” She asked Cole County Judge Cotton Walker to rewrite Ashcroft’s ballot language.
“Missourians are entitled to fair, accurate, and sufficient language that will allow them to cast an informed vote for or against the Amendment without being subjected to the Secretary of State’s disinformation,” the plaintiff’s lawyers wrote in a court brief.
Assistant Attorney General Andrew Crane defended Ashcroft’s summary in court. He pointed to a clause in the amendment protecting “any person” from prosecution or penalties if they consentually assist a person exercise their right to reproductive freedom. Crane said if enacted, that provision would render any abortion regulations toothless.
“The government will be effectively unable to enforce any restrictions on abortions,” Crane said.
Walker said he will make a decision Thursday.
This is the second time Ashcroft and the abortion-rights campaign have clashed over his official descriptions of the amendment.
The campaign in 2023 also sued Ashcroft over how his office described the amendment in a ballot summary. Ballot summaries are high-level overviews of amendments, similar to ballot language. But summaries are included on ballots.
Ashcroft’s ballot summary said the measure would allow “dangerous and unregulated abortions until live birth.”
A three-judge panel of the Western District Court of Appeals Ashcroft’s summary was politically partisan and rewrote it.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- Knicks Player Ogugua Anunoby Nearly Crashes Into Anne Hathaway and Her Son During NBA Game
- Winter is coming for US men's basketball. Serbia game shows it's almost here.
- Florida man gets over 3 years in prison for attacking a Muslim mail carrier and grabbing her hijab
- Cardi B says she felt 'paralyzed' after 'freak accident' almost caused loss of pregnancy
- 2025 Medicare Part B premium increase outpaces both Social Security COLA and inflation
- Proof Jessica Biel Remains Justin Timberlake’s Biggest Fan
- It’s all about style and individuality as the world’s best breakers take the Olympic stage
- Sha'Carri Richardson, Gabby Thomas steer U.S. women to gold medal in 4x100 relay
- Fantasy football buy low, sell high: 10 trade targets for Week 11
- Meet Hunter Woodhall, husband of 2024 Paris Olympics long jump winner Tara Davis-Woodhall
Ranking
- Shel Talmy, produced hits by The Who, The Kinks and other 1960s British bands, dead at 87
- Rev It Up: MLB to hold Braves-Reds game at Bristol Motor Speedway next August
- Julianne Hough reveals how Hayley Erbert's 'tragic' health scare affected their family
- Raiders' QB competition looks like ugly dilemma with no good answer
- These Michael Kors’ Designer Handbags Are All Under $150 With an Extra 22% off for Singles’ Day
- Starliner astronauts aren't 1st 'stuck' in space: Frank Rubio's delayed return set record
- Travis Scott Arrested After Alleged Altercation With Security Guard in Paris, Prosecutors Say
- Aaron Rodgers Finally Breaks Silence on Rumors Ex Olivia Munn Caused Family Rift
Recommendation
-
KFC sues Church's Chicken over 'original recipe' fried chicken branding
-
Body camera footage shows local police anger at Secret Service after Trump assassination attempt
-
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis continues political attack against Harris VP candidate Tim Walz
-
Another suspect arrested in connection to planned terrorist attack at Taylor Swift concert
-
Father, 5 children hurt in propane tank explosion while getting toys: 'Devastating accident'
-
Flight with players, members of Carolina Panthers comes off runway at Charlotte airport
-
A Roller Coaster Through Time: Revisiting Bitcoin's Volatile History with Neptune Trade X Trading Center4
-
Best Back-to-School Deals Under $50 at Nordstrom Rack: Save Up to 81% on Fjällräven Kånken, Reebok & More