Courts Elections Health Care News

Missouri Judge Deems Secretary of State's Abortion Initiative Petition Summary 'Problematic'

A Missouri judge has rejected the ballot summaries written by Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft for six initiative petitions seeking to enshrine the right to abortion in the state's constitution, ruling that they are "argumentative" and biased. The judge also rewrote the summaries, highlighting the protections for contraceptives and other reproductive health needs. In a separate decision, the judge upheld the fiscal note summary written by state Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick, dismissing claims that passage would impose significant costs. The final decision on which initiatives will circulate for signatures has been delayed due to ongoing litigation.