Victory for Missouri Abortion Rights Advocates in Ballot Language Battles

The Missouri Supreme Court has declined to consider cases regarding the ballot summaries and costs for initiative petitions that would legalize abortion in the state. This decision is seen as a victory for abortion rights proponents, who were seeking a favorable ballot summary before deciding on which initiative petition to circulate. The court's denial effectively ends a lengthy legal battle and allows proponents to gather the necessary signatures by May. Meanwhile, another group has begun gathering signatures for an initiative that would scale back Missouri's abortion ban, legalizing abortion up to 12 weeks of pregnancy with exceptions for rape, incest, fatal fetal abnormalities, and risks to the mother's health or safety.