On August 2, the voters of Kansas had a choice. Either to join the ranks of pro-life states by saying that abortion has no place in their state’s constitution, or to continue to allow Kansas to act as “safehaven” for mothers seeking abortion in the central USA.
Sadly, the Republican-leaning state chose the latter.
In a decision that was not even close, the people of Kansas declared 59% to 41% that abortion is a protected right under their state constitution, according to Decision Desk HQ.
The “Value Them Both“ Constitutional Amendment stipulated on the ballot:
A vote for the Value Them Both Amendment would affirm there is no Kansas constitutional right to abortion or to require the government funding of abortion, and would reserve to the people of Kansas, through their elected state legislators, the right to pass laws to regulate abortion.
A vote against the Value Them Both Amendment would make no changes to the constitution of the state of Kansas, and could restrict the people, through their elected state legislators, from regulating abortion by leaving in place the recently recognized right to abortion.”
Shall the following be adopted?
The people of Kansas said “no.” Well, mostly. DDHQ also listed that out of 908,745 voters, roughly 534,000 voted against the amendment, while 374,600 voted for it.
The referendum was the first major statewide vote since the reversal of Roe v. Wade in June and was part of the state’s primary election. The measure would have reversed a 2019 Kansas Supreme Court ruling that dictated that abortion was a state consitutional right. Lawmakers are currently prohibited from passing most legislation that restricts that “right,” according to Catholic News Agency.
Related: Biden to Sign Executive Order Forcing Taxpayers to Pay for the Travel of Mothers Seeking Abortion
If the referendum had succeeded, it would have reinstated the ability of lawmakers to regulate abortion laws. While it wouldn’t have banned abortion, like many were convinced it would from pro-abortion activists, it would have allowed state legislatures the ability to make that decision.
President Biden applauded the vote.
“The Supreme Court’s extreme decision to overturn Roe v. Wade put women’s health and lives at risk,” Biden said in a statement, according to Lifenews. “Tonight, the American people had something to say about it.” He continued:
Voters in Kansas turned out in record numbers to reject extreme efforts to amend the state constitution to take away a woman’s right to choose and open the door for a state-wide ban. This vote makes clear what we know: the majority of Americans agree that women should have access to abortion and should have the right to make their own health care decisions.
Biden used the vote to fuel his other pro abortion schemes including encouraging Congress to pass a bill legalizing abortion up until birth, issuing an Executive Order to use taxpayer money to cover the costs of women traveling to other states to receive an abortion.
Indeed, Kansas remains a safe haven for abortions in an area where abortion quickly became illegal after the reversale of Roe. The surrounding pro-life states of Missouri, Oklohoma, Texas, and Arkansas have outlawed abortion with the exception of when the mother’s life is in danger. However, according to NPR in Kansas City, “Kansas saw a flood of out-of-state patients seeking abortion care before the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade.”
With the disappointment of the vote, pro-life leaders now narrow their focus on winning in Novermber for the midterm election. Now more than ever, they recognize the need for voters to go out to stand up for life.