UPDATE 8/27 12p: Signatures on a petition to put a measure banning abortions after 20 weeks in Albuquerque have been verified.
According to KOB.com, the required 12,261 signatures were verified and now the measure will go before the City Council. Councilors will either adopt the measure outright or put it on a city-wide ballot.
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A ballot measure to ban abortions after 20 weeks is about 1,000 certified signatures away from earning a spot on an Albuquerque city ballot. One of the city's more unique methods of lawmaking is called direct legislation by voter initiative.
Albuquerque City Council Office Director Laura Mason says the process has challenges, but it also gives voters a louder voice. She spoke with KUNM's Carrie Jung.