By TIM HOOVER
The Kansas City Star
JEFFERSON CITY _ Secretary of State Matt Blunt should place a proposal to ban gay marriage on the Aug. 3 election ballot, the Missouri Supreme Court ruled Thursday.
In a 6-1 decision, the high court ruled in favor of Attorney General Jay Nixon, who had challenged Blunt after the secretary of state refused to place the proposed constitutional amendment on the August ballot as Gov. Bob Holden had directed.
However, the court did not grant Nixon's request to issue a writ of mandamus, which would force Blunt to put the issue on the August ballot.
Instead, the court said Blunt “has a duty to take such actions as are necessary, in an expedited manner, to prepare SJR 29 (the proposed amendment) for submission to the people of Missouri at the Aug. 3, 2004, election in accordance with the Governor's proclamation.”
Judges added that, “if any further relief is required . . . the action can be brought directly in this Court.”
To reach Tim Hoover, Missouri Capitol correspondent, call (573) 634-3565 or send e-mail to thoover@kcstar.com
Well that's an entirely different spin on the matter!