Judge rules Missouri ballot measure to protect abortion rights is invalid

Ruling, which may be reviewed by appellate court, could strike reproductive rights measure off November ballot

A Missouri judge has ruled that a ballot measure asking voters whether abortion rights should be enshrined in the state constitution is invalid, potentially jeopardizing an election scheduled for November.

In a ruling issued on Friday, Cole county circuit judge Christopher Limbaugh said that the reproductive rights petition - also known as amendment 3 - led by Missourians for Constitutional Freedom did not comply with state law.