On Tuesday, September 10, 2024, Thomas More Society attorneys will appear before the Missouri Supreme Court for oral argument in Coleman, et al. v. Ashcroft, which will decide whether Amendment 3—Missouri’s expansive “Reproductive Freedom” ballot initiative—will appear on the November ballot. This appeal before Missouri’s high court is brought by Missourians for Constitutional Freedom, the campaign for Amendment 3. This follows a judgment issued by a trial court judge late on Friday evening, September 6, that found that Amendment 3’s ballot initiative petition violated state law. The lawsuit against Amendment 3 was brought by Thomas More Society attorneys on behalf of select Missouri lawmakers and concerned citizens.

Amendment 3’s ballot petition failed to include information on any laws or provisions that the “Reproductive Freedom” constitutional amendment would repeal, according to Missouri Circuit Court Judge Christopher Limbaugh in his September 6 ruling. Limbaugh found this to be “in blatant violation of the sufficiency requirements” governing whether an initiative can be placed on the November 2024 general election ballot under Missouri law. While Missouri Circuit Court Judge Limbaugh found that Amendment 3’s ballot petition violated state law, he deferred entering the relief that such a violation requires—an injunction removing the Amendment from the ballot. The final decision regarding the injunction is pending review by the Missouri Supreme Court before the statutory deadline for printing the ballots, which is on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, the same day as the oral argument.

WHAT: Thomas More Society attorneys available for media interviews following Missouri Supreme Court oral argument in Coleman, et al. v. Ashcroft.

WHEN: Tuesday, September 10, 2024, at 8:30 a.m. (Central)

WHERE: Missouri Supreme Court, 207 West High Street, Jefferson City, Missouri 65101

MAP: https://maps.app.goo.gl/mwuhszGvjxoXqMqG6

WHO:

· Mary Catherine Martin, Thomas More Society Senior Counsel

· Tim Belz, Thomas More Society Special Counsel

Read the Respondents’ Brief in Coleman, et al. v. Ashcroft, filed on September 9, 2024, by Thomas More Society attorneys, in the Missouri Supreme Court, here.

Read the Judgment in Coleman, et al. v. Ashcroft, issued on September 6, 2024, by Missouri Circuit Court Judge Christopher Kirby Limbaugh, in the Circuit Court of Cole County – State of Missouri, here.

Find more information on the Thomas More Society’s involvement in the challenge to Missouri’s abortion ballot proposal here.