Columbia man sues Ashcroft over petition allegations

Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft speaks to reporters on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at his Capitol office in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/David A. Lieb)
Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft speaks to reporters on Wednesday, June 29, 2022, at his Capitol office in Jefferson City, Mo. (AP Photo/David A. Lieb)


A Columbia man filed a lawsuit Thursday against Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft for allegedly violating initiative petition laws.

The suit, filed in Cole County on behalf of Harry Cooper, alleges Ashcroft violated the law by unlawfully rejecting Cooper's petition, doing so past the rejection deadline and refusing to provide...