The Missouri Supreme Court ruled against the state attorney general’s position on an abortion ballot initiative, a decision that allows an effort to restore abortion rights there to move forward. The court ruled that the attorney general, Andrew Bailey, who opposes abortion, had improperly held up his approval of a ballot initiative that would ask voters whether they want to change the constitution to include a right to abortion. Mr. Bailey, a Republican, disputed the assessment of the state auditor, also a Republican, regarding how much such a change would cost. The delay prevented proponents of the initiative from beginning to collect signatures to try to place the question on the ballot for next year’s election. “While today is a tremendous victory for Missourians and the right to direct democracy, it is clear that some who hold office will not hesitate to trample the constitution if it advances their personal interests and political beliefs,” said Luz María Henríquez, the executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri.

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Persons: general’s, Andrew Bailey, Bailey, ”, Luz María Henríquez Organizations: Missouri Supreme, Republican, “, American Civil Liberties Union of Missouri Locations: Missouri