Michigan mulls putting abortion rights initiative before voters

Abortion opponents are seen outside as the Michigan Board of State Canvassers conducts a hearing on Wednesday, August 31, in Lansing, Michigan, the United States. Groups for and against abortion rights made impassioned appeals to the board, which will decide whether to put an initiative to protect abortion on the ballot [Carlos Osorio/AP Photo]

An election board in the US state of Michigan has rejected a ballot initiative that would safeguard the right to an abortion.

The board’s verdict was delivered Wednesday after raucous protests. The panel is split between two Democrats and two Republicans and needed a majority to put the initiative on the ballot. However, the panel’s decision is likely to be challenged in the state’s Democrat-leaning Supreme Court.