ACLU files lawsuit against Secretary of State, others over abortion ruling

Missouri’s ACLU is countering Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft’s claim that the new Missouri abortion bill can’t be put to a statewide vote.

The response came Thursday when the ACLU filed a lawsuit in Cole County.

The organization initially requested a petition for a referendum on the bill, which the Republican Ashcroft said couldn’t happen because of an emergency clause in the bill.

The ACLU is now demanding the court rule that Ashcroft’s rejections are unconstitutional.

Missouri Attorney General Eric Schmitt and State Auditor Nicole Galloway were also named as defendants.