Mississippi High Court Dismisses Challenge to ‘Personhood’ Initiative

The Mississippi Supreme Court Thursday cleared the way for residents of the Magnolia State to vote on a “personhood” ballot initiative, which would protect the unborn in the earliest stage of life.

“We seek to become the first state in the nation to grant civil rights to the unborn,” said Brad Hewitt, executive director of the “Yes on 26” campaign, in a statement.

If approved by Mississippi voters in November, and ultimately upheld by the courts, the proposed amendment to the state constitution will bestow upon the unborn the same right to life as the newborn.

Measure 26, the Personhood Amendment, was challenged by the ACLU, Planned Parenthood and the Center for Reproductive Rights. The three groups claimed that the measure was an improper attempt by its sponsors to modify the federal Bill of Rights.

Mississippi’s highest court did not address itself to the constitutional questions raised by the ballot proposition, which, essentially, would set aside Roe v. Wade in the Magnolia State.

The justices declared, "Just as this Court cannot prohibit legislators from offering proposals in the House or Senate, this Court cannot impede voters from submitting proposals through the voter initiative process." To read more, click here.