Cooler but still well above normal this week

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

LAWRENCE, Kan. — Voters in Kansas rejected a proposed state constitutional amendment Tuesday that would have said there was no right to an abortion in the state, according to The Associated Press.

Kansas was the first state to vote on abortion rights since the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its ruling in 

Dobbs v. Jackson's Women's Health Organization.

The vote, for now, preserves access to abortion in Kansas and serves as a rebuke to the regional trend of states significantly restricting access. Since the overturning of 

, Kansas has become an abortion destination for people from other states. 

Supporters argued the amendment was necessary to correct what they say was the Kansas Supreme Court's overreach in striking down some of the state's previous abortion restrictions in 2019. 

Opponents argued that the amendment would set state lawmakers up to pursue a total abortion ban. 

Republicans, for the most part, remained quiet before Tuesday and wouldn't say how far they wanted to restrict abortion access if the amendment passed.

in the state, including limiting abortions after 22 weeks of pregnancy to cases where the pregnant person's life is in danger. The state also requires an ultrasound before a procedure, among others.

Those restrictions would have remained in place whether the amendment passed or failed. The vote in this red state may be a sign of what's to come in other abortion votes around the country later this year.

 reports on politics for the Kansas News Service.

Politics and Government News

Election 2022

Dylan Lysen

Author

 ruling, Kansas voters have decided not to amend the state constitution, keeping abortion legal in the state — for now.

In the first test of its kind since the Dobbs ruling, Kansas voters have decided not to amend the state constitution, keeping abortion legal in the state — for now.


Voters in Kansas decide to keep abortion legal in the state, rejecting an amendment

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox