Kansas has taken a step forward in the quest to continue the legalization abortion by leaving it up for its citizens through popular voting.
The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has dramatically shifted the landscape of America, with many people feeling challenged by this new legal precedent and society polarized into two camps – those who support access for abortion and those who want to criminalize abortion.
With a fiery controversy looming over the Supreme Court’s ruling that allow states to prohibit abortion, Kansas residents are being given an opportunity for direct democracy. The first initiative in history of American politics that allows people’s voices be heard through voting on issues that have been given finality by the Courts. Further, gives politicians a peek at the popular sentiment among Kansans.
The information coming out of the voting would be very beneficial to the Democrats in terms of their chances during this year’s mid-term elections.
Kansas has been a hotbed for reproductive rights as of late, with people from Texas, Missouri, and Oklahoma traveling to access services despite pressure by Republicans who want them blocked out. Voters will be asked whether the state gets to keep its abortion rights or the opposite.
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The government tells the voters: “Because Kansans value both women and children, the constitution of the state of Kansas does not require government funding of abortion and does not create or secure a right to abortion. To the extent permitted by the constitution of the United States, the people, through their elected state representatives and state senators, may pass laws regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, laws that account for circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest, or circumstances of necessity to save the life of the mother.”
What it means if the “Yes” votes win
If the majority of Kansans votes “Yes” to the question, it means that they want to amend the state constitution relating to abortion and it “does not require government funding of abortion and does not create or secure a right to abortion.”
State legislation would then be strongly advised to create laws that ban abortion in all phases of pregnancy, in accordance to the decision by the SC. Further, challenges and debates that intend to debunk the laws would be difficult since the vote approving such laws has been casted by the majority.
“The amendment that is on the ballot will mandate government control over our private medical decisions and ultimately pave the way for a total ban on abortion,” stated Ashley All, a member of the Kansans for Constitutional Freedom, working in support of abortion rights.
What if the “No” vote wins
The win for the “No” vote will keep abortion legal up until 22 weeks. However, even if this were to happen, the state legislature could still pass laws that restrict the procedure in some way; but passing the law would be difficult as it goes against the popular will.
Kansan state courts still consider abortion legal at the current time. In 2015, there were lawmakers who pushed for the criminalization and banning of abortion within the state but it was blocked by the courts.
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The Supreme Court of Kansas has already impressed three years ago that abortion is a guaranteed right under Section 1 of the Kansas Constitution’s Bill of rights which hold that, “All men are possessed of equal and inalienable natural rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Anti-abortion coalitions
While supporters of abortion grow in numbers, so does groups and coalitions against abortion. Organizations like Value Them Both, led by Kansans for Life, the Kansas Catholic Conference and Kansas Family Voice have become vocal about their condemnation for abortion. And now that the US Supreme Court has ruled in favor of their cause, their voices have been amplified.
“Kansans want to ensure that moms and babies are protected. So, Kansans are very concerned about this push to make us an unlimited destination for abortion,” said Brittany Jones.
Source: CNN
