Comment on Lawsuit seeks to invalidate Florida’s abortion rights ballot measure

A group of anti-abortion advocates is asking the courts to invalidate a proposed abortion rights amendment on Florida’s November ballot, seizing on a state report that accuses the measure’s backers of engaging in “widespread petition fraud.” The plaintiffs, represented by former Florida Supreme Court Justice Alan Lawson, filed suit Wednesday in state court alleging Amendment 4 sponsor Floridians Protecting Freedom failed to meet signature requirements to place the amendment on the ballot when the suspected fraud is considered. Floridians Protecting Freedom has denied any wrongdoing, calling the allegations “dishonest distractions and desperate attempts to silence voters.” The group submitted nearly 1 million validated signatures from across the state, surpassing the qualifying requirement by about 100,000 signatures.