Referendum planned

Referendum blocked

In 1990, Nevadans voted in a referendum to retain the state’s Roe-style abortion statutes (“Campaign for Choice,” RN&R, June 6).

Missourians are now trying a twist on that effort—putting the new state anti-abortion law on the ballot so it can be voted on by Missourians. But Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (the son of exactly who you think) has rejected their petitions.

The Missouri referendum law says referendums cannot be used on “laws necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health or safety” and Ashcroft claims that language applies to the abortion law.

The Missouri chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union was in court on the echo of Ashcroft’s statement.