"Missouri Judge Schools GOP Candidates on Abortion Petition Language"
Republican judge Jon Beetem in Missouri has ruled against Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft's misleading and inaccurate summaries for proposed abortion-rights ballot initiatives. Ashcroft, who is running for governor, attempted to block access to the ballot initiative process by distorting the truth. The Missouri Court of Appeals unanimously upheld Beetem's rewritten summaries, stating that Ashcroft's summaries were insufficient, unfair, inaccurate, and misleading. Ashcroft and his ally Attorney General Andrew Bailey plan to appeal the decision. The case highlights the importance of fair and accurate wording for ballot initiatives, allowing voters to make informed decisions.