The Battle To Keep Missouri Pro-Life
Sharable Documents:
History/Background:
Remove My Name Campaign – UNSIGN ME!
March 15, 2024
If you regret signing the extreme abortion petition to enshrine the horrendous act of abortion in our Missouri Constitution, ACT NOW to have your name removed. You can only have your name removed BEFORE signatures are turned in, so you must ACT NOW!
This initiative petition will allow abortion for the full nine months of pregnancy – even painful late-term abortions. It will obliterate all of Missouri’s more than 52 pro-life laws protecting unborn children and their mothers, including parental consent for minors, health inspections for clinics, medical licensing for abortionists and even open the door to taxpayer-funded abortions.
Any voter who has signed an initiative petition may withdraw his/her signature from that petition by submitting to the Missouri Secretary of State (SOS), before the petition is filed with the SOS, a sworn statement requesting that his/her signature be withdrawn and affirming the name of the petition signed, the name the voter used when signing the petition, the address of the voter and the county of residence. It is a class A misdemeanor to knowingly file a false withdrawal statement with the SOS. (RSMo 116.110)
The Process to Withdraw Your Signature
- Create a Sworn Statement: Draft a written statement that includes the following information:
- The name of the petition you signed
- The name you used when signing the petition
- Your address
- Your county of residence
Sample Statement:
Name Used When Signing Petition
Address
Date
Dear Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft,
Please remove my name immediately from the Constitutional Amendment to Article I, Relating to Reproductive Health Care, version 10 (2024-086), also known as “The Right to Reproductive Freedom Initiative.” I reside in __________ County. I regret signing my name to this petition.
Sincerely,
Name
2. Swear Under Oath: The statement must be sworn under oath. You can do this by visiting a notary public.
3. Submit to the Secretary of State: Send the sworn statement to the Missouri Secretary of State. You can mail it or deliver it in person. Include your contact information so they can verify your identity.
Send/Deliver to:
Missouri Secretary of State
600 West Main Street
Jefferson City, MO 65101
4. Timing: You must submit the withdrawal before the petition is filed with the SOS. Once the petition is filed, your signature cannot be removed.
Please let us know if you request your signature be removed: 573-635-5110 or righttolife@missourilife.org. If you have questions or need further assistance, reach out to the Secretary of State’s office directly: 573-751-4936 or info@sos.mo.gov.
Abortion Advocates Begin Effort to
Place Abortion Up to Birth in Missouri Constitution
Decline to Sign!
January 19, 2024
Well, it’s finally started. Abortion advocates have started collecting signatures on one of the first 11 Pro-abortion initiative petitions (IPs). See language here. As a recap, we know that they have to collect valid signatures in 5 of 8 Congressional Districts and the numbers of valid signatures required in those districts is 8% of people who voted in the 2020 election for governor. Contact our tip line via text or voicemail at 417-413-4134 and let us know if you see anyone collecting signatures and get someone to stand on sidewalk with “Decline to Sign” signs. Signs can be ordered through the tip line as well.
Please contact all your family and friends and make sure they don’t sign this petition to put a right to abortion through all nine months of pregnancy in our Missouri Constitution. We have Decline to Sign County Coordinators in every county of Missouri and they are watching as well.
Click here for Talking Points against Pro-abortion IPs. Please contact the tip line, 417-413-4134, via text or voicemail and let us know your name and phone number. Then tell us the address and town where the signature gatherer is located. We will get back to you.
Link: Left-Wing Activists Start Signature Collection for Missouri Abortion Ballot Measure
Decline to Sign Pro-Abortion Initiative Petitions
December 1, 2023:
While Missouri Supreme Court Declines to
Hear the Truth about Pro-Abortion Initiatives,
Secretary of State Ashcroft Continues
to Stand and Fight for the Unborn and their Moms
November 22, 2023
On November 17th Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft filed an appeal to the Missouri Supreme Court pointing out several errors by the lower courts including the lower courts ignoring established Appellate Court decisions by rewriting Secretary Ashcroft’s ballot summary.
On November 20th the Missouri Supreme Court, without explanation, declined to hear the Secretary’s appeal and arguments.
Despite the lack of action by the Supreme court the truth remains that Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s original ballot summary language accurately informs Missourians that these pro-abortion initiative petitions would “allow for dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions, from conception to live birth, without requiring a medical license or potentially being subject to medical malpractice”; that they would “nullify longstanding Missouri law,” including Missouri’s law banning “partial-birth abortion”; that they would allow individuals “to end the life of their unborn child at any time”; and that they would “potentially” require “taxpayer funding” of abortion.
We know from Initiative Petitions in other states that the pro-abortion advocates will spend millions of dollars and lie about both existing Missouri law and the effects of the Initiative Petitions.
These lies will not be limited to the pro-abortion advertisements but the people they hire to collect petition signatures will also lie about the law and the scope of the Initiative Petitions. We urge you not to sign these petitions.
As you gather as families across Missouri during this Thanksgiving season, pray for unborn babies and these moms as we stand to “Keep Missouri Pro-Life” throughout the year ahead!
Missouri Supreme Court Declines to Hear the Appeal of Secretary of State Collection of Signatures On Pro-Abortion Initiative Petitions Could Be Coming Soon-Decline to Sign
November 10, 2023
Last week we reported the Secretary of State Ashcroft had appealed the decision of the Appeals Court to the Missouri Supreme Court. This week, the Missouri Supreme Court declined to hear that appeal. While there may be other procedures and possible lawsuits, it seems that collection of signatures on the horrendous pro-abortion initiative petitions will begin soon. Missouri Right to Life with a coalition of other groups have been planning for months for this eventuality and have launched the Decline to Sign Campaign. We ask that you do the following:
1. Notify Missouri Right to Life at righttolife@missourilife.org or call 573-635-5110 if there are signature gathers in your towns and communities.
2. Go to these links to educate yourselves:
- History of Battle to Keep Missouri Pro-Life – Missouri Right to Life PAC (missourilifepac.org)
- KMPL-IP-Handout-PAC-8-22-23-1.pdf (missourilifepac.org)
- The Battle to Keep MO Pro-Life – Missouri Right to Life (missourilife.org)
- Microsoft PowerPoint – JSC Initiative program 2 061823 PP [Compatibility Mode] (missourilife.org)
3. Contact Missouri Right to Life to volunteer for the Decline to Sign campaign and future efforts.
4. Donate to Missouri Right to Life to help us fight this battle. Donate Here
Left-leaning Western District Court of Appeals
Rewrites
the Ballot Summary on Pro-abortion
Initiative Petitions
with Language that
Hides the Truth from Missouri Voters
November 1, 2023
The following statement is from Susan Klein, Executive Director of Missouri Right to Life:
On Monday, a three-judge panel of the Western District Court of Appeals heard oral arguments on the ballot language of 6 pro-abortion initiative petitions written by Judge Beetem and 6 deceptive fiscal notes presented by Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick.
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Attorney General Andrew Bailey continue their effort to protect life by insuring voters are provided truthful and accurate information when the vote on whether to amend our Missouri Constitution to allow unrestricted abortion in Missouri from conception until birth. Unfortunately, yesterday, the left-leaning Western Missouri Court of Appeals rewrote the ballot summary in a vague manner, with language proposed by out-of-state funded pro-abortion extremists, meant to confuse and hide the truth from Missouri voters.
Thank you, Secretary Ashcroft and Attorney General Bailey for continuing to fight for true and accurate ballot summary language. We also encourage our Missouri House and Senate and Governor Parson to work to protect our Missouri pro-life laws.
Ashcroft Appeals, Argues Circuit Court Erred in Concluding
Ballot Summary Statements were “Unfair” and “Insufficient”
Press Release: September 28, 2023
Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft has filed an appeal to the Missouri Court of Appeals, Western District, arguing “The circuit court erred in concluding that the Secretary of State’s summary statements were unfair and insufficient, in determining the measures’ central features, and in writing entirely new summary-statement language instead of performing minimal revisions to any language deemed unfair and insufficient.”
Background: Secretary of State John R. Ashcroft certified official ballot titles pursuant to Missouri law (RSMo Section 116.180) for six pro-abortion ballot initiatives proposed by Plaintiff Dr. Anna Fitz-James. Plaintiff Fitz-James filed six lawsuits—one for each initiative petition—under RSMo Section 116.190 claiming that the Secretary of State’s truthful summary statements, which form part of the official ballot titles, are unfair and insufficient. The circuit court consolidated the cases into the lead case number, 23AC-CC03167. After a bench trial on stipulated facts and exhibits, the circuit court concluded that the summary statements were “unfair” and “insufficient” and rewrote new summary-statement language that supported the arguments of the ACLU/pro-abortion petitioner.
Missouri Right to Life applauds Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft for fighting for truthful and honest ballot summary language outlining the dangerous, unregulated and unrestricted consequences these pro-abortion Initiative Petitions (IPs) would have so Missouri voters will have the accurate information they need should the issue be presented for voters to decide on the November 2024 ballot.
These pro-abortion IPs would enshrine abortion as a “right” in our Missouri Constitution, nullify Missouri’s longstanding pro-life laws, allow abortion all 9 months from conception to live birth, and potentially include tax-payer funding of abortion. Missouri Right to Life is at the forefront of the battle to Keep Missouri Pro-Life. Updates and information on our efforts is available at: https://missourilife.org/the-
Judge Beetem Sides with Pro-Abortion ACLU,
Strikes Down Ashcroft's Truthful Ballot Language
Press Release: September 25, 2023
Today, Judge Beetem struck down Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s truthful ballot language for 6 pro-abortion initiative petitions that were filed in March (Fitz-James vs. Ashcroft, Case No. 23AC-CC03167 et. al.). Judge Beetem’s order included new rewritten ballot language declaring that Secretary Ashcroft’s language was “problematic” and “argumentative” or unfair, which was what the ACLU had argued. Judge Beetem ruled in favor of the pro-abortion petitioner and her ACLU attorneys. Judge Beetem’s ruling certified new summary statements that minimize the devastating impacts of these pro-abortion initiative petitions that would support a Constitutional right to abortion on demand all nine months of pregnancy.
Secretary of State Ashcroft’s truthful ballot language that Judge Beetem ruled against and removed from the ballot summary statement are the following phrases:
- “dangerous, unregulated, and unrestricted abortions”
- “from conception to live birth”
- “without requiring a medical license”
- “without…potentially being subject to medical malpractice”
- “nullify longstanding Missouri law”
- “the right to life”
- “partial-birth abortion”
- “including a minor”
- “end the life”
- “unborn child”
- “at any time”
- “potentially including tax-payer funding”
- “prohibit any municipality, city, town, village, district, authority, public subdivision, or public corporation having the power to tax or regulate the state of Missouri from regulating abortion procedures”
With Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s ballot summary language removed, Judge Beetem has decreed that the people of Missouri will not have the clearest picture of the dangerous consequences when considering whether or not to sign the petition to put this amendment on the ballot. Likewise, the new ballot summary language Judge Beetem ordered that would amend our Missouri Constitution does not convey to Missouri voters the actual impact of the petition, should voters pass it into law.
Furthermore, Judge Beetem issued a separate ruling against pro-life petitioners in a separately filed case (Kelly v. Fitzpatrick, et. al., Case No. 23-AC-CC04802) who had argued the fiscal note summary part of the ballot language written by the State Auditor was insufficient and unfair.
Missouri Right to Life is extremely disappointed that Judge Beetem would rule in favor of extreme pro-abortion advocates at the expense of language that accurately portrays the devastating effect these petitions would have on Missouri women and children and Missouri’s balanced budget.
Missouri Right to Life expects that the rulings on these cases will be appealed and prays a higher court will support Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s truthful ballot summary statement, and rule in favor of pro-life petitioners in supporting an accurate fiscal note.
Missourians Value Every Innocent Human Life – Born and Unborn
Lifeline: September 13, 2023
Since the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe, Missouri Right to Life has been working diligently to ensure that the protections for unborn babies and women stay in place in Missouri. Some of our pro-life officials are fighting for truth in these battles. And pro-life Missourians are preparing to ensure that the general public knows the truth about what the passage of a pro-abortion initiative petition would do in Missouri.
Those who support abortion through all 9 months of pregnancy will use deception and lies to make Missouri an abortion sanctuary state. We are working to stop their life-destroying agenda.
Just a few preposterous positions of the pro-abortion attorneys in Monday’s court hearing:
- They said: Abortion is not dangerous.
Truth: Abortion kills the unborn child. Studies and testimonies from post-abortive women have reported the dangers and risks of abortion on women. Complication reports for abortion are required to our Missouri Department of Health. - They said: Partial-birth Abortion is open to interpretation and no one knows what it really is.
Truth: Partial-birth abortion is exactly what it says. A baby partially out of the mother in the birth canal and then the baby is killed in a horrendous way with horrendous pain before being fully birthed. - They said: We have to get rid of laws that protect {Pregnancy Resource Centers} because they give medically inaccurate information.
Truth: They want Pregnancy Resource Centers to refer for abortion. - They said that the words “Right to Life” are politically charged.
Truth: “Reproductive health” is not a true depiction of what they are after. They are after abortion on demand. We as a nation and as a state have declared from the beginning the self-evident truth that we are endowed by our Creator with certain inalienable rights, and first among them is the right to life.
Some other facts about the pro-abortion language of these 17 pro-abortion initiative petitions:
- These pro-abortion initiative petitions would take away the right of the woman to sue the abortionist if she is harmed.
Fact: This is HARMFUL to women. - These pro-abortion initiative petitions would take away the right of the woman to sue anyone who has forced her to have an abortion.
Fact: This protects the rapist and the family member doing the crime of incest. This is HARMFUL to women. - These pro-abortion initiative petitions take away the right of parental involvement and the ability for a parent to sue for harm to their child.
Fact: This protects the rapist and perpetrator of the crime of incest and the adult abuse of a minor. This is DANGEROUS to the life and health of a minor. - These pro-abortion initiative petitions would potentially allow for tax funded abortions.
Fact: By not using language expressly prohibiting taxpayer funded abortions it leaves open the ability for funding and/or subsidizing the abortion industry.
There are several battles for innocent life going on at this time.
Pray and get involved. Sign up to receive our weekly lifeline and pro-life communication to stay up to date.
Lifeline: https://
Pro-Life Communication Network: https://missourilife.
Request a Speaker: https://missourilife.
For more information on our fight to “Keep Missouri Pro-Life,”; listen to this Interview with Susan Klein on the Bott Radio Network: https://bottradionetwork.com/
Link – Cole County judge hears case challenging ballot title for Missouri abortion initiatives
Missouri Right to Life files brief showing why initiatives to put abortion
in the
state constitution would protect abortion on demand
throughout pregnancy until the moment of birth
For Immediate Release: September 5, 2023
On September 1, Missouri Right to Life (“MRTL”) filed a friend-of-the-court brief showing why an initiative to put an abortion right in the state constitution would establish a regime of unrestricted abortion on demand throughout pregnancy until the moment of birth.
The brief was filed in a case challenging the Secretary of State’s Summary Statement for Initiative No. 2024-085. Such summary statements are designed to tell voters what an initiative is about. The Secretary’s Summary said the Initiative would, among other things, “allow for . . . unrestricted abortions, from conception to live birth.”
Dr. Anna Fitz-James challenged the Summary Statement in Cole County Circuit Court as erroneous. MRTL’s brief showed why “unrestricted” was an accurate description of what the Initiative would do.
In demonstrating why that statement is accurate, MRTL showed the court four key things. First, abortion case law distinguishes the terms “regulation” and “restriction,” with the latter being a prohibition. So the fact that the Initiative speaks of some minimal “regulation” does not authorize any “restriction” on abortion. The Initiative nowhere authorizes a restriction on abortion for any reason or at any time, such as the Supreme Court did in Roe v. Wade, which permitted state to prohibit abortion after the viability of the preborn child. So based on this fact alone the Initiative would allow unrestricted abortion.
Second, MRTL demonstrated from the history of abortion law after Roe v. Wade that abortion providers and advocates have always sought abortion on demand throughout pregnancy, which the U.S. Supreme Court often accommodated by striking down reasonable restrictions on abortion, until the Supreme Court overruled Roe v. Wade in the Dobbs case. Abortion providers and advocates are seeking unrestricted abortion through the current Initiative, because no meaningful regulation will be permitted.
Third, MRTL showed how the specific terms of the Initiative did not allow any restriction on abortion on demand throughout pregnancy. For example, the Initiative would require that after viability an abortion must be allowed if, in the sole discretion of the abortion provider, an abortion is necessary for the pregnant woman’s mental health. But Dr. Jane Hodgson, a famous abortion provider, said that, if a woman seeks an abortion, then the abortion is medically necessary. Accordingly, under the Initiative, abortion after viability is unrestricted.
Fourth, MRTL showed that the foregoing demonstrates the Secretary is correct that the Initiative would “allow for . . . unrestricted abortions, from conception to live birth.” Accordingly, that statement “accurately reflect[s] the legal and probable effects of the proposed initiative,” as required by Missouri Supreme Court case law.
James Bopp, Jr., of The Bopp Law Firm, PC, and counsel for MRTL, says: “The history of abortion jurisprudence since Roe v. Wade shows that abortion is unrestricted if there is a mental-health exception. Since the Initiative provides a mental-health exception, in the sole discretion of the abortion provider, the Initiative would institute a regime of unrestricted abortion on demand throughout pregnancy until the moment of birth.”
Susan Klein, Executive Director of Missouri Right to Life, says: “As we have seen over the many years of Roe, unrestricted abortions have endangered the lives of women and taken the lives of unborn babies. When the abortion provider is given free rein on women with no restrictions or accountability, women will suffer the consequences and have no recourse if this attempt to enshrine abortion in our state constitution were to succeed. Secretary of State Ashcroft’s ballot language is a true depiction of unrestricted abortions for all nine months of pregnancy in these petitions and the people of Missouri have the right to know the truth.”
The brief is available at: https://www.bopplaw.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/MoRTL.ACBr-amicus-br-FINAL.pdf.
MISSOURI RIGHT TO LIFE PRO-LIFE ACTION ALERT
PRO-ABORTION FORCES HAVE FILED 6 MORE
PRO-ABORTION INITIATIVE PETITIONS
TO ENSHRINE A RIGHT TO ABORTION IN OUR
MISSOURI CONSTITUTION
PLEASE MAKE COMMENTS WITH THE
SECRETARY OF STATE’S OFFICE AGAIN
TIME IS LIMITED!
Your Voice Is Needed to Defend Life: A public comment period is open through the Office of Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft for each of these 6 pro-abortion Initiative Petitions (IPs) that have been filled by pro-abortion forces to enshrine a right to abortion in our Missouri Constitution.
Your pro-life comments are extremely important! The public comment period closes September 29, 2023. If this date changes based on the process, we will let you know. But, do not wait! Get your comments as soon as possible!
- Submit comments to SOS online: https://www.sos.mo.gov/petitions/2024comment
- Submit comments to SOS handwritten: https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Elections/Petitions//publiccommentform.pdf
Please submit your pro-life comments on each of the Initiative Petitions (2024-129 through 2024-134) by September 29, 2023. Below is background and talking points:
Background: On Wednesday morning, August 30, 2023 a newly established 501c4 non-profit organization, established in June of 2023 called “Missouri Women and Family Research Fund,” filed 6 pro-abortion Initiative Petitions with the Missouri Secretary of State’s office. This organization was formed by Jamie Corley, a pro-abortion Republican, based out of St. Louis and is represented by a known pro-abortion Democrat attorney that defends the majority of every Planned Parenthood lawsuit filed in Missouri.
These pro-abortion IP’s seek to enshrine a right to abortion up to the point of birth in the Missouri Constitution and do it under the disguise of misleading information. This ballot measure will be on the November 5, 2024 Statewide ballot.
Talking Points to Consider when Submitting Your Comments to the Missouri Secretary of State on Proposed Pro-Abortion Initiative Petitions (2024-129 through 2024-134):
- Missouri has long been a state working to protect women and unborn babies by developing and funding programs such as Alternatives to Abortion and Show-Me Healthy Babies.
- After a baby is born, Missouri cares for women with health insurance programs such as MoHealthNet and Show-Me Healthy Babies.
- Missourians value life at every stage of development.
- Missouri currently does not prosecute women for abortion and does not have plans to do so. Missouri has a strong history of supporting women and their unborn babies.
- All innocent human life has intrinsic value and we oppose abortion at every stage of development from inception of biological development to after the baby is born through natural death.
- As a Missourian we oppose IP # (enter no. from above) for the following reasons:
- The petitions will allow for abortions to be performed up until the moment of birth and possibly beyond.
- The petitions do not take into account the pain felt by the baby during an abortion.
- The petitions do not take into account the complications for the woman that come from an abortion.
- The petitions will deny any woman harmed by an abortionist her right to sue for malpractice to recover for her injuries.
- The petitions nullify current Missouri laws that protect pregnant women and their unborn babies.
Please check our website frequently (www.missourilife.org) as we will be sharing information and updates. We would love to hear your comments, too!
You can email a copy of your comments to righttolife@missourilife.org
Thank you for standing with us, For Life!
Ashcroft Editorial: Protecting Life
In an editorial for the Missouri Times, Jay and Kate Ashcroft write:
Most Missourians would easily recognize the unalienable rights of “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” which serve as the foundation for our republic.
We believe Missouri’s pre-born children are entitled to that protection of life too, regardless of the circumstances of their conception, and since taking office, I have striven to protect them. Missouri led the country to enact and sustain pro-life legislation in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to return the regulation of abortion to states, and I am grateful to have earned the sole endorsement for Governor from Missouri Right to Life.
But while we have made progress, there is still much work to be done to promote life in Missouri.
Click here to read more.
Disappointment in Ohio:
What Will Republican Leaders do in Missouri
On Tuesday, August 8, we saw the ability for citizens in Ohio to protect their state constitution go down in defeat.
It is important that this does not happen in Missouri and why Missourians need our legislators to set us on a different path.
In Missouri our goal and ask of the GOP super-majorities in the Missouri House and Senate is to put on the ballot in August 2024 the following concurrent requirements for changing our Missouri Constitution:
- Keep the vote to change our Missouri constitution at 50 percent + 1 vote (simple majority), AND add to that the following:
- In addition to a statewide simple majority, there also needs to be a simple majority in 5 of the 8 Congressional districts.
This gives Missourians across the State of Missouri to have a voice and a vote in how and when our Missouri Constitution gets changed. We all have to live by the constitution, so we should all have a voice and a vote on its content.
Republicans, will you help us protect our Missouri Constitution? Missouri Voters want to know.
Link: Pro-Life Group to Appeal to Young Voters in Ohio Abortion Battle
Update on the Court Proceedings of the
Pro-Abortion Initiative Petitions
Yesterday, Thursday, August 3, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., a counsel status hearing was held in the Cole County Circuit Court, the Honorable Judge Jon E. Beetem, presiding. The current 6 lawsuits filed by the pro-abortion petitioner challenge the SOS’s ballot summary language. It was mentioned during this morning’s hearing that a new lawsuit, this time challenging the fiscal note/fiscal summary, is expected to be filed by a yet unnamed litigant no later than Monday’s deadline for filing a challenge.
The petitioner’s attorney argued for consolidating all cases (the current 6 cases). Judge Beetem stated that he thinks the title summary language is different than the expected fiscal challenge as the fiscal challenge will be about evidence issues rather than language issues. Our understanding is that the Judge’s intent is to keep any fiscal challenges as separate case(s).
Judge Beetem set a trial date of September 11, 2023 at 10:00 a.m. for the 6 cases currently filed. Each party will submit their trial brief to the Judge by Friday, September 1st. The defendant (SOS’s) attorney requested an opportunity to respond to the brief and, therefore, the Judge set the date for optional response briefs for September 7th.
The 11 pro-abortion petitions have been approved for circulation if abortion supporters want to use the current truthful ballot language from the Secretary of State. However, pro-abortion supporters want language that is not true and they have filed suit against the Secretary of State to try and change the ballot language.
IP Cases Against SOS Ballot Language Update-July 26, 2023
July 26, 2023 – IP COURT UPDATES
On Wednesday, July 26, 2023, case numbers 23AC-CC04022, 23AC-CC03167, and AC-CC03953 – ANNA FITZ-JAMES V JOHN R ASHCROFT, (the cases from the pro-abortion side arguing that the Secretary of State’s ballot language is misleading) were heard in the Cole County Circuit Court, the Honorable Judge Jon E. Beetem, presiding. The defendant (SOS’s) attorney Lewis presented an argument to dismiss these cases. The Court found that because the Secretary of State had not yet certified the ballot language for the initiative petition, these three cases were not filed within the statutorily required ten days following certification and the cases were “not ripe” (were prematurely filed). After the Missouri Supreme Court ruling last week, and the subsequent moving of the fiscal note to the Secretary of State, it was expected the Secretary of State would certify the ballot language by the end of the day, July 26, 2023. Judge Beetem ordered leave granted for the petitioners to file an amended petition after the Secretary of State certifies the ballot language. The Judge set a status hearing for August 3, 2023 at 9:00 a.m. to hear from both sides and will schedule a trial date at that time.
After the Secretary of State certified the ballot language yesterday, the petitioners were expected to refile an amended petition that encompasses the three cases referenced above and would file three additional cases.
Missouri Supreme Court Issues Ruling on
Pro-Abortion Initiative Petitions; IPs Move Forward
Yesterday, July 20, 2023, the Missouri Supreme Court affirmed the judgment of the circuit court (Circuit Court of Cole County, The Honorable Jon E. Beetem, Judge), in State of Missouri ex rel. Dr. Anna Fitz-James v. Andrew Bailey, in His Official Capacity, Scott Fitzpatrick, et al, holding that the authority of the State Attorney General under state statute (RSMo 116.1751) is limited in scope and extends only to reviewing the ‘legal content and form’ of the proposed initiative petition fiscal notes and summaries prepared by the State Auditor, not their substance:
“Dr. Anna Fitz-James (‘Fitz-James’) filed a petition in the circuit court of Cole County seeking a writ of mandamus compelling Attorney General Andrew Bailey (‘Attorney General’) to approve fiscal note summaries for 11 proposed initiative petitions she had filed with Secretary of State John Ashcroft (‘Secretary’). After briefing and argument, the circuit court made permanent its writ of mandamus ordering the Attorney General to do so and to forward notice of that approval to State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick (‘Auditor’). The Attorney General appealed, and this Court has jurisdiction pursuant to article V, section 3 of the Missouri Constitution. Nothing in section 116.1751 gives the Attorney General authority to question the Auditor’s assessment of the fiscal impact of a proposed petition. Instead, the Attorney General’s authority extends only to reviewing the ‘legal content and form’ of the fiscal notes and summaries prepared by the Auditor, not their substance. Because the circuit court in this case
did not err in finding there was no defect in the ‘legal form and content’ of the fiscal note summaries prepared by the Auditor concerning Fitz-James’s proposed initiative petitions, the Attorney General’s refusal to perform the plain, unequivocal, and ministerial duty of approving those summaries (and informing the Auditor he has done so) cannot be justified. The Attorney General was to have performed that task within 10 days of receiving the fiscal notes and summaries from the Auditor, a period that expired more than three months ago. Accordingly, the circuit court’s decision to make permanent its writ of mandamus requiring the Attorney General to perform that duty is affirmed.” – Supreme Court of Missouri Opinion No. SC100132
What This Means:
The pro-abortion initiative petitions are moving forward. We anticipate the pro-abortion crowd will begin gathering signatures statewide for these initiative petitions in the coming weeks to seek to enshrine a “right to abortion” in our Missouri Constitution. There is, however, a possibility of other court cases that could delay the signature gathering process. We must prepare to educate and encourage Missourians to “decline to sign” the pro-abortion initiative petition when their signature is solicited. If the initiative petitions do not receive enough signatures, we can prevent this measure from going on the November 2024 ballot that would enshrine a “right” to abortion in our Missouri Constitution and would overturn virtually all of our pro-life laws.
What You Can Do:
Pro-Life Missourians must prepare now to educate and encourage their fellow Missourians on the consequences of enshrining a “right” to abortion in our Missouri Constitution and the effectual overturning of our state’s pro-life laws that protect and support women and children. Click here for a one-page handout that you can print and share with others on the numerous harmful impacts of the pro-abortion initiative petitions.
Judge orders MO AG to process abortion initiative petitions
Link – Please pray for Missouri’s Attorney General as he works to protect the Missouri Constitution.
Watch for updates in our MRL Lifeline as these legal battles move forward.
The Missouri House and Senate Leadership Control Future Initiative
Petition Reform to Protect our Missouri Constitution
Missouri Republican House and Senate leadership must give Missouri citizens a good bill/resolution to vote on in August of 2024 that will provide protection for our Missouri Constitution.
Missouri voters want the required percentage for passage to stay at the current level of 50% plus 1 (majority of votes cast) but they want a more balanced representation of Missouri citizens to have a voice in how and when our Missouri Constitution gets changed. They want to keep the current percentage overall and then add the requirement for a majority of votes in either the House, Senate or Congressional Districts. This will ensure that the voices of all Missourians across the state will be counted in changing our state constitution.
Every time our Missouri Constitution gets changed, our way of life in Missouri changes and our values run the risk of being compromised.
Big monies come in from out of state and special interest groups within our state influence our legislators to either kill or water down good IP Reform legislation.
Pro-life Missourians are asking Missouri Republican House and Senate leadership to give us a good, solid, strong measure to vote on and stop big money influencers.
House and Senate leaders: Give Missourians the ability to pass reform that will protect our Missouri Constitution across the board on any questionable issue, stop these radical pro-abortion initiative petitions and “Keep Missouri Pro-life”.
Contact these 4 House and Senate leaders and ask them to give us true reform to protect our Missouri Constitution:
Missouri Senate President Pro-Tem:
Caleb Rowden: Senator Caleb Rowden, email: Caleb.Rowden@senate.mo.gov
Missouri Speaker of the House:
Dean Plocher: Rep. Dean Plocher, email: Dean.Plocher@house.mo.gov
Missouri Senate Majority Floor Leader:
Cindy O’Laughlin: Senator Cindy O’Laughlin, email: Cindy.Olaughlin@senate.mo.gov
Missouri House Majority Floor Leader:
Jon Patterson: Rep. Jon Patterson, email: Jonathan.Patterson@house.mo.gov
Please join Missouri Right to Life for continued updates at:
Lifeline: Lifeline Registration Form – Missouri Right to Life (missourilife.org)
Pro-Life Communication Network: Pro Life Communication Network – Missouri Right to Life (missourilife.org)
Legislative Update
The House and Senate completed the budget by the constitutional deadline of May 5th. They also passed multiple bills. It was a bittersweet week for pro-life Missourians.
Click here for the full update and all facts for the week.
“Thank You” to All of You who Came to the Midwest March for Life
It was a great day to celebrate the first year of a post-Roe Missouri, to hear great speakers, learn about the new challenges to “Keep Missouri Pro-Life” and march the streets of our beautiful Capitol City of Missouri, the City of Jefferson, to show that we will continue to stand together to protect unborn babies and protect women from the deceptions of the abortion industry.
In these last 2 weeks of the 2023 Legislative Session, the House will take up the Senate Substitute of HJR 43 to pass and help Missourians across this state to have a voice in protecting our constitution.
The House and Senate will decide if families that give birth to a new baby will receive a tax deduction to help with the first year of that child’s life.
And, the House and Senate will finalize the State Budget that includes funding for Alternatives to Abortion and the Show Me Healthy Babies Insurance Program.
Watch our MRL website and social media for Action Alerts. If you have not signed up to receive our pro-life communications, please do so here: https://missourilife.org/pro-life-communication-network/
Thank you for your prayers and your support of Missouri Right to Life!
And, thank you for your support of our continued fight to “Keep Missouri Pro-Life”!
https://missourilife.org/join-mrl/
Legislative Update
There are 3 weeks left in the 2023 Legislative Session. The budget deadline is Friday, May 5th and the 2023 Legislative Session ends at 6:00 p.m. on Friday, May 12th.
Watch for Action Alerts from MRL as we move in to these last 3 weeks!
This week in the Missouri State Legislature
Missouri House of Representatives:
- HCS SS SCS SB’s 45 & 90 was voted do Pass in the House Rules Committee on Legislative Oversight and would extend insurance for a
woman and her unborn child for up to 12 months after the birth of her baby. Some question if this also covers a woman who chooses an elective abortion and then we pay for her care afterwards. See Missouri Right to Life’s Statement on this: https://missourilife.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/2023-Memo-to-Legislators-on-SS-SCS-SBs-45-90.pdf
Missouri State Senate:
- The Missouri Senate has been in Committee work on the state budget bills and will begin Senate floor debate soon.
- Currently, in the House approach to the defunding of Planned Parenthood in the budget: The House has zeroed out public monies from going to any facility that performs or induces abortions.
NOTE: Since abortion is banned in Missouri, organizations such as Planned Parenthood, which is the largest abortion provider in the United States, will continue to receive our tax dollars under this approach. - HCS HJR 43 regarding protecting our Missouri Constitution and ensuring that everyone across Missouri has a voice in how our MO Constitution can be changed is still on hold in the Senate waiting for a pro-life amendment.
Click here for the full update and information on all bills to watch this legislative session.
Click here for the full update and information on all bills to watch this legislative session.
Information on the Initiative Petitions and Why
HCS HJR 43 Must be Amended to Protect Women and Unborn Children
The pro-abortion initiative petitions are dangerous to our Missouri way of life because:
- The structure and support system for Missouri women would be seriously damaged if this initiative were passed. It would (a) allow for abortions to be performed up until the moment of birth, (b) allow anyone to perform an abortion with no licensing requirements, (c) deny any woman harmed by an abortionist her right to sue for malpractice to recover for her injuries, and (d) allow for the funding of abortions with public tax dollars.
- Pregnancy Resource Centers could be forced to refer for abortion. Alternatives to abortion funding and tax credits for Pregnancy Resource Centers could be taken away.
- These initiatives could Infringe on multiple constitutional rights such as:
- (a) Clergy being prosecuted for not offering counseling for abortion;
- (b) Praying on the sidewalk and counseling women on alternatives to abortion could be illegal.
- Taking the life of a baby born alive after an abortion could be considered constitutional under this initiative. Physicians that choose not to give care to a baby born alive after an abortion, could not be prosecuted because it would be considered “reproductive choice” of the woman.
Pray for our Secretary of State
Thank you for responding to the Secretary of State’s office with your pro-life comments about how outrageous the 11 extreme pro-abortion initiative petitions are.
Please pray for Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft as he moves into the next phase of the legal process, required by law, to write the ballot summary for these 11 pro-abortion initiative petitions.
Legislative Update
This week in the Missouri State Legislature:
Missouri House of Representatives:
- The House 3rd read and passed the budget to the Senate. The Senate now will process and debate the budget and then it will move to final approval by both chambers.
- The House is trying a different approach to the defunding of Planned Parenthood. They have zeroed out public monies from going to any facility that performs or induces abortions.
- Since abortion is banned in Missouri, organizations such as Planned Parenthood, which is the largest abortion provider in the United States, will continue to receive our state tax dollars even though Planned Parenthood has vowed verbally in multiple committee hearings to continue their “full range of services including abortion or abortion referrals”.
- An interesting statement by Planned Parenthood in these committee hearings is that they are affiliated with a 4-state region of their organization to surrounding states that do perform abortions. We will keep you updated.
Missouri State Senate:
- The Missouri Senate took up the issue of protecting our Missouri Constitution and ensuring that everyone across Missouri has a voice in how MO Constitution can be changed. The pro-abortion Democrats took over the floor to filibuster and put out deceptive information.
- The bill has not been amended and has not passed the Senate yet. Watch for upcoming Action Alerts on Amendment(s) needed on HCS HJR 43. See information regarding our objections at the end of this legislative report on HCS HJR 43 and why amendment(s) are needed.
- The Missouri Senate took up and passed SCS SB 133 which will give a tax deduction for unborn children. This bill now moves to the House for approval. Watch for more information on this in these last weeks of session!
Click here for the full update and information on all bills to watch this legislative session.
Keep Missouri Pro-Life Action Alert!
The extreme pro-abortion initiative petitions were “approved in their proper form” on March the 23rd by the Secretary of State based on the criteria set forth in Statute. We have now moved into the next 15-day comment period which ends on April 7th. The Secretary of State now has until April 15th to write the ballot summary language.
If you have not yet commented on these horrific initiative petitions, please do so as soon as possible. Please ask pro-life friends and family to comment also. Your pro-life comments are extremely important! You must comment on each individual petition. You can write the first comment, copy it, submit that comment, open the next petition and paste. These pro-abortion initiatives are almost identical.
Click here for more information on how you can comment.
Keep Missouri Pro-Life
Submit Your Comments to the Secretary of State
Deadline April 7th
The extreme pro-abortion initiative petitions were “approved in their proper form” on March the 23rd by the Secretary of State based on the criteria set forth in Statute. We have now moved into the next 15-day comment period which ends on April 7th. The Secretary of State now has until April 15th to write the ballot summary language.
If you have not yet commented on these horrific initiative petitions, please do so as soon as possible. Please ask pro-life friends and family to comment also. Your pro-life comments are extremely important! You must comment on each individual petition. You can write the first comment, copy it, submit that comment, open the next petition and paste. These pro-abortion initiatives are almost identical.
- Submit comments to SOS online: https://www.sos.mo.gov/petitions/2024comment
- Submit comments to SOS handwritten: https://www.sos.mo.gov/CMSImages/Elections/Petitions//publiccommentform.pdf
Background: On Wednesday afternoon, March 8th, a newly established campaign committee, “Missourians for Constitutional Freedom,” (MCF) filed 11 Initiative Petitions with the Missouri Secretary of State’s office. MCF is a St. Louis based committee, its treasurer is Michael Pridmore and Anna Fitz-James filed the documents. These IP’s seek to enshrine a right to abortion up to the point of birth in the Missouri Constitution. The statement of committee organization filed with the Missouri Ethics Commission by MCF indicates the ballot measure will be on the November 5, 2024 Statewide ballot.
It is our understanding that campaign committees file multiple petitions and move forward with the petition that their polling indicates includes language that most Missourians support. While each initiative petition has some slight variations, they are all identical in their purpose and their effect.
Talking Points to Consider when Submitting Your Comments to the Missouri Secretary of State on Proposed Pro-Abortion Initiative Petitions (2024-077 through 2024-087):
- The structure and support system for Missouri women would be seriously damaged if this initiative were passed. It would (a) allow for abortions to be performed up until the moment of birth, (b) allow anyone to perform an abortion with no licensing requirements, (c) deny any woman harmed by an abortionist her right to sue for malpractice to recover for her injuries, and (d) allow for the funding of abortions with public tax dollars.
- Pregnancy Resource Centers could be forced to refer for abortion. Alternatives to abortion funding and tax credits for Pregnancy Resource Centers could be taken away.
- These initiatives could infringe on multiple constitutional rights such as: (a) Clergy being prosecuted for not offering counseling for abortion; (b) praying on the public sidewalk and counseling women on alternatives to abortion could be illegal.
- Taking the life of a baby born alive after an abortion could be considered constitutional under this initiative. Physicians that choose not to give care to a baby born alive after an abortion could not be prosecuted because it would be considered the “reproductive choice” of the woman.
Other Points relative to this Issue:
- We know from past experience that millions of dollars from outside Missouri will flow to our state from people and organizations who do not share our values and our respect for life. We know from past experience that lies and distortions will be advertised across Missouri.
- Missouri has long been a state working to protect women and unborn babies by developing and funding programs such as Alternatives to Abortion and Show-Me Healthy Babies.
- After a baby is born, Missouri cares for women and babies with health insurance programs such as MoHealthNet and Show-Me Healthy Babies.
- Missouri currently does not prosecute women for abortion and does not have plans to do so. Missouri has a strong history of supporting women and their unborn babies.
- All innocent human life has intrinsic value and we oppose abortion at every stage of development from inception of biological development to after the baby is born through natural death.
Please check our website frequently (www.missourilife.org) as we will be sharing information and updates. We would love to hear your comments, too!
You can email a copy of your comments to righttolife@missourilife.org
Thank you for standing with us, For Life!
Legislative Update
Information on the Initiative Petitions and why
HCS HJR 43 MUST BE AMENDED TO
PROTECT WOMEN AND UNBORN CHILDREN
The pro-abortion initiative petitions are dangerous to our Missouri way of life because:
- The structure and support system for Missouri women would be seriously damaged if this initiative were passed. It would (a) allow for abortions to be performed up until the moment of birth, (b) allow anyone to perform an abortion with no licensing requirements, (c) deny any woman harmed by an abortionist her right to sue for malpractice to recover for her injuries, and (d) allow for the funding of abortions with public tax dollars.
- Pregnancy Resource Centers could be forced to refer for abortion. Alternatives to abortion funding and tax credits for Pregnancy Resource Centers could be taken away.
- These initiatives could Infringe on multiple constitutional rights such as:
(a) Clergy being prosecuted for not offering counseling for abortion;
(b) Praying on the sidewalk and counseling women on alternatives to abortion could be illegal. - Taking the life of a baby born alive after an abortion could be considered constitutional under this initiative. Physicians that choose not to give care to a baby born alive after an abortion, Could not be prosecuted because it would be considered “reproductive choice” of the woman.
Click here for the full update and information on all of the bills we are keeping an eye on.
Pro-Abortion Forces Have Filed Initiatives to
Enshrine a Right to Abortion in Our Missouri Constitution
Your Voice Is Needed to Defend Life: A public comment period is open through the Office of Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft for each of these 11 Initiative Petitions (IPs) that have been filed by proabortion forces to enshrine a right to abortion in our Missouri Constitution. Your pro-life comments are extremely important! The public comment period closes March 22, 2023.
Legislative Update
NOTE: The legislature is on Spring Break this week. Be sure and look for our update again on Friday, March 24th.
Watch for Action Alerts to our House and Senate members requesting that they make HCS HJR 43 stronger now that the pro-abortion forces are attempting to put abortion in our MO Constitution. We need to make sure all Missourians have a voice in any changes to our State Constitution.
Missouri Right to Life
Press Release
Missouri Right to Life Vows to Fight Any
Constitutional Amendment to Legalize Abortion Up to Birth
The following statement is from Susan Klein, Executive Director of Missouri Right to Life:
Missouri Right to Life has worked tirelessly for 49 years to regulate abortion and stop the killing of unborn children here in Missouri. We were successful in saving unborn children from the scourge of abortion with the overturning of Roe v. Wade after the passage of HB 126 in 2019.
We have known for some time of the threat to legalize abortion up to birth here in Missouri. We have been hard at work for the past year to prepare for this challenge.
Missouri is a pro-life state and we must ensure every Missourian, born and unborn, is protected and every voice is heard when considering change to our constitution.
The Secretary of State’s office is currently accepting public comments on the 11 pro-abortion initiative petition proposals. Please notify the Secretary of State’s office of your concerns for innocent human life threatened by these proposals. To make a comment on proposals 77 through 87 please go to this link and click on “Submit Comment.”
Our lawyers are in the process of reviewing these initiative petitions and we will be issuing additional information soon.