The Missouri secretary of state must revise the voter-guide statement for an abortion rights measure slated for the November ballot, according to a recent decision by a state judge. The ruling, issued by Judge Cotton Walker of the Missouri Circuit Court in Cole County, determined that the language provided by Republican Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft did not comply with the state’s legal requirement for ballot language to be “true and impartial.”
The contested language, which is meant to be displayed at polling sites alongside sample ballots, was deemed misleading and unfair by the campaign behind the amendment. The judge’s decision emphasized that Ashcroft’s description did not meet Missouri’s standards for impartiality when informing voters of the implications of a “yes” or “no” vote on the measure. Full details of the decision can be found here.
Judge Walker’s ruling underscores the ongoing legal challenges Secretary Ashcroft faces, including a separate lawsuit concerning the certification of the ballot measure. The conflicts around this language highlight the contentious nature of abortion rights in Missouri and the efforts by various factions to sway public opinion before the November vote.
You can review the language details on the Missouri Secretary of State’s website and the specific legal requirements for ballot language here.