Ashcroft Dismayed by Court’s Unwillingness to Hear Abortion Case

Jefferson City, Mo. — On Monday, the Missouri Supreme Court denied Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s petition to review the findings of a lower court that completely rewrote ballot language that was certified by his office pertaining to abortion initiative petitions.

“We stand by our language -- it fairly and accurately reflects the scope and magnitude of each petition,” Ashcroft said. “My responsibility as secretary of state is to make sure the people of Missouri have ballot language that they can understand and trust. If these petitions make it to the ballot, the people will decide. I will continue to do everything in my power to make sure Missourians know the truth.”

The secretary of state’s office encourages every voter to read the entire initiative petition prior to signing the signature page.

—30 —

Visit www.sos.mo.gov to learn more about the Office of the Missouri Secretary of State.