Jack, forced birth proponents in Michigan hoped that the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to end federally protected abortion rights would trigger a 1931 state law that bans all abortions except those that would save the life of the mother.

Fortunately, state courts have blocked its enforcement, citing a pending ballot initiative that would amend the state constitution to include the right to abortion care.

Despite the fact that Reproductive Freedom for All in Michigan, the group backing the measure, gathered a record-breaking 753,759 signatures, well over the 425,059 needed to get on the ballot, the Republicans on the state's Board of State Canvassers voted to reject the abortion rights initiative. They claimed that the petition wasn’t valid because a version of the petition circulated had missing spaces and an extraneous word.

Reproductive Freedom for All is not giving up. They are appealing to the Michigan Supreme Court to ask that the Board of State Canvassers do their jobs. The State Bureau of Elections recommended the board certify our signatures, noting it had no standing to act on the language.

This fight is far from over. Unfortunately, appealing this decision in the courts will take away from funds and resources that would have otherwise been used to connect and mobilize voters. Reproductive Freedom for All needs your help in this fight. Can you support their efforts by rushing a donation of $5?

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Amanda McKay, Daily Kos

Daily Kos, PO Box 70036, Oakland, CA, 94612.