In the first abortion-related election since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Kansas voters have rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would have specified that the right to terminate a pregnancy is not protected, The 19th reported.
Although votes were still being counted as of the morning of Aug. 3, it has been determined that the amendment has failed, preserving access to abortion in a state that has emerged as a regional destination for the procedure.
In Kansas, the state Supreme Court held in 2019 that their constitution guarantees the right to an abortion—a ruling that has barred state legislators from passing laws that might ban or heavily restrict access to the procedure. Right now, abortion in Kansas is legal up until 22 weeks of pregnancy.
Democrats across the country are counting on energy from the overturning of Roe in this November's midterm elections, particularly in Senate races in states such as Nevada, New Hampshire and Wisconsin. A similar constitutional amendment is on the ballot this November in Kentucky, which is currently enforcing a total abortion ban.
