Kansas City, Mo – Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas today announced he and the Public Rights Project, a national non-profit working to support the rights of Missourians to obtain reproductive health care, filed a brief in the Missouri Supreme Court to stop the Attorney General from blocking fair access to the ballot.

Missouri women, medical professionals, and families are working to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would enshrine a right to women’s reproductive health care, including abortion, in the Missouri constitution.  Undeterred by lower court losses and his oath of office, the Attorney General has blocked the petition-gathering effort, claiming unfounded costs.  With limited time to gather petition signatures, the Attorney General’s unlawful steps may deny access for the abortion rights initiative on the 2024 ballot.  

Mayor Lucas and the Public Rights Project urge the Missouri Supreme Court to let signature collections with a fair description of the proposal begin. 

“Abortion care is healthcare and all reproductive healthcare decisions should be made by women, families, and their medical providers—not unelected bureaucrats.  The Missouri Supreme Court should order the Attorney General to stop the games and allow democracy in our state to work,” said Mayor Lucas. “I am proud to join the Public Rights Project in trusting the people of Missouri with fair ballot language.  The Attorney General should do the same and let the people have a fair vote on the important issue of women’s personal control over their bodies and their healthcare.”

The Supreme Court of Missouri will hear oral arguments tomorrow, Tuesday, July 18.

Access the brief here.

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