Fitz-James v. Ashcroft
Ruled that the descriptions of six ballot initiative petitions to amend the state constitution to protect abortion rights, which were written by Missouri’s secretary of state, were “insufficient and unfair.” The state supreme court declined to hear an appeal.
Related Commentary
How Courts Oversee Ballot Initiatives
State courts — and to some degree federal courts — play a significant role in every stage of the direct democracy process.
State Courts Can Provide Much-Needed Protection From Voter Deception
This past election, some state courts stepped in to protect the citizen initiative process from state-sponsored deception, while others refused. Their decisions influenced election outcomes.