Anti-choice activists in Mississippi can celebrate a victory, as a court has ruled that a “personhood” amendment could be placed on the November ballot, despite complaints that it is unconstitutional to ballot initiatives to modify the state’s Bill of Rights.

Via the Guardian:

Mississippi voters will be allowed to vote on an initiative that seeks to reverse abortion rights by redefining the term “person” to apply at the moment of conception.

The state’s supreme court refused to block the amendment, which will now appear on the general election ballot on 8 November. A majority of the justices said they could not rule on whether measures were constitutional until voters of the legislature had had a chance to pass them.

…

The initiative was challenged by a Mississippi citizen because it failed to comply with the state’s official ballot initiative process which forbids making modifications to the Bill of Rights.

Cristen Hemmins, the plaintiff, said: “As a lifelong Mississippian, I am disappointed that this broad and intrusive measure has been allowed on the ballot. I call on all voters to vote ‘no’ on #26. The government should not be interfering with the personal and private health care decisions of Mississippi families.”

Much like other failed “personhood” amendments, Measure 62, by defining life as beginning at the moment of fertilization, could make many forms of birth control and assisted reproductive therapy illegal in the state.  Such a proposal was twice put on the ballot in Colorado, and was voted down both times.