Mayor Lucas files brief on Missouri abortion amendment
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In less than 12 hours, Missouri’s Supreme Court will hear an argument on whether an amendment on abortion rights makes it on the November ballot.
The High Court took the appeal after a trial court judge ruled the reproductive rights amendment violated state law.
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Monday, Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft decertified the amendment. It no longer appears on his office website.
A vote “yes” on amendment three supports amending the state constitution to provide the right for “reproductive freedom,” giving individuals the right to abortion until fetal viability, which is typically around 24 weeks, and make other reproductive health decisions.
As it stands today, Missouri’s law bans abortion except in a medical emergency.
But whether it makes it in front of voters come November, is now in the hands of the Missouri Supreme Court.
A Cole County circuit judge ruled on Friday that the full text fails to mention the specific laws to be repealed if voters were to approve.
He said that violates state law.
Ashcroft, who’s anti-abortion and who saw his fair ballot language for the amendment overturned by a judge, decertified the entire amendment late Monday.
On Monday night, attorneys supporting amendment three filed a motion for Ashcroft to be held in contempt and ordered him to recertify the amendment. Ashcroft’s office had no comment.
Meanwhile, Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas firmly believes the state Supreme Court will reverse the judge’s decision.
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“What is the problem with letting people vote. That’s why I would say here, it was a creative lawsuit filed by conservative interest. But I think the Missouri Supreme Court is going to make sure we have an opportunity to have that vote in November.”
Mayor Lucas and the Public Rights Project, a non-profit working to support rights to reproductive health care, filed a “friend-of-the-court” brief in the state Supreme Court.
“I think it’s important to stand up for the rights of women in Missouri. That’s why we filed an amicus brief myself and other mayors throughout Missouri.”
As voters wait for a decision whether the amendment being on the ballot is critical to Democrats hopes in other major races remains a question.
During an interview on 4 The People, editor-in-chief of the Missouri Independent Jason Hancock says polls show it won’t play a part.
“You have this dichotomy of Missouri voters seeming to favor liberal progressive ballot measures and then voting for Republicans statewide.”
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The hearing is set for Tuesday at 8:30 a.m. in Jefferson City.
The state Supreme Court bypassed an appeals court to take the case because the deadline for ballots is 5 p.m. on Tuesday. So a quick ruling is expected.
FOX4 will have a crew at the capitol and will bring you coverage on-air and online.
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