Image CreditFDRLST/Canva
A proposed amendment that would legalize abortion through all nine months of pregnancy in Missouri could get yanked from the November ballot after Cole County Circuit Judge Christopher Limbaugh ruled it invalid.
Missouri law mandates that petitions like the unlimited abortion petition filed by the ill-named Missourians for Constitutional Freedom (MCF) earlier this year “include all sections of existing law or of the constitution which would be repealed by the measure.” Limbaugh, however, found that the petition to add abortion through birth to the ballot “included no disclaimer or any equivalent to a disclaimer” that warned Missourians about the extent of its reach.
“The full and correct text failed to identify any ‘sections of existing law or of the constitution which would be repealed by the measure,’” Limbaugh wrote.
In his decision, Limbaugh claimed the “unique issues involved” and the “lack of direct precedent” kept him from removing the amendment on the spot.
He warned the petitioners, however, that they only have until the constitutional ballot printing deadline on Tuesday, Sept. 10 to appeal the ruling before the measure faces removal. MCF, which called Limbaugh’s ruling a “profound injustice,” swore to appeal.
Yes On 3 Statement on Cole County Court decision in Ballot Access Case:
Our fight to ensure that voters—not politicians—have the final say is far from over. pic.twitter.com/uxRYQkJNUs
— Missourians for Constitutional Freedom (@Missourians4CF) September 7, 2024
Limbaugh’s ruling stems from a lawsuit filed by pro-life legislators and
