Florida Voters Sue Over Amendment 4 Signatures

A lawsuit has been filed in Florida to invalidate Amendment 4, which seeks to protect abortion rights, alleging widespread fraud in the collection of signatures needed to place the measure on the ballot. The complaint claims that an investigation by the Florida Office of Election Crimes and Security (OECS) found that about 16.4% of the signatures submitted were invalid, potentially leaving the initiative short of the required number for legal qualification. The amendment, which allows abortion before fetal viability and under health-risk conditions, requires a 60% majority to pass in the upcoming election. Opponents, including state officials and anti-abortion groups, assert that the integrity of the petition process was compromised, with accusations of forgeries and deceptive practices. Despite the legal challenges, supporters have already begun voting on the amendment, and experts suggest that proving fraud post-election could be difficult. The outcome of this legal battle could determine the future of abortion access in Florida.