Kansas voters soundly reject anti-abortion amendment, in 1st major test of post-Roe politics


Voters in Kansas on Tuesday rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would have allowed the Republican-dominated state Legislature to restrict or ban abortions in the state, negating a 2019 state Supreme Court decision upholding abortion rights in the state. The Associated Press and other news organizations projected the amendment's defeat at 9:40 p.m. local time on Tuesday night, and the main pro-amendment group conceded their loss about 20 minutes later.
With 86 percent of the vote counted, the amendment was going down to defeat 60 percent to 40 percent. "The referendum in the conservative state was the first test of U.S. voter sentiment about abortion rights since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June," AP reports. Amendment supporters and opponents spent more than $14 million on their campaigns.
Kansas allows abortion up to 22 weeks of pregnancy, and the state Supreme Court locked that into place that by ruling that the Kansas Constitution guarantees the right to bodily autonomy and therefore the right to terminate a pregnancy. The unexpectedly decisive rejection of Tuesday's amendment effectively cements that status quo, making Kansas one of only three states in the Midwest that can't or are unlikely to ban abortions, The Topeka Capital-Journal reports.
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
"Lawmakers controversially placed the measure on the August primary ballot, a move that was criticized, as the primary election typically turns out an electorate that is more conservative and has fewer Democrat and unaffiliated voters," the Capital-Journal reports. "But voter registration soared statewide in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court decision," and Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab predicted that turnout could wind up matching the record voting numbers from the 2008 presidential election.
Urban and several rural counties rejected the amendment, and the narrow majorities of "yes" votes in solidly conservative counties was not enough to tip the balance.
"The overwhelming support for abortion rights in a traditionally conservative state bolsters Democrats' hopes that the historic Supreme Court ruling will animate their voters in an otherwise difficult election year for their party," The Washington Post reports. Abortion opponents will have their next shot at reviving the issue as soon as November, The Wichita Eagle reports, when they'll "attempt to oust members of the Supreme Court that declared abortion to be a right."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.
-
Is New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s plan for free buses realistic?
Talking Points A transit innovation or a costly mistake
-
5 side hustle ideas to supplement your budget
the explainer Almost two-thirds of Americans are looking to get a second job in the next year
-
DOJ indicts John Bolton over classified files
Speed Read Continuing the trend of going after his political enemies, Trump prosecutes his former national security adviser
-
DOJ indicts John Bolton over classified files
Speed Read Continuing the trend of going after his political enemies, Trump prosecutes his former national security adviser
-
Trump, Putin set summit as Zelenskyy lands in DC
Speed Read Trump and Putin have agreed to meet in Budapest soon to discuss ending the war in Ukraine
-
Courts deal setbacks to Trump’s Chicago operations
Speed Read President Donald Trump cannot deploy the National Guard in Illinois
-
Pentagon reporters turn in badges after refusing rules
Speed Read They refused to sign a restrictive new press policy imposed by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth
-
Supreme Court points to gutting Voting Rights Act
speed read States would no longer be required to consider race when drawing congressional maps
-
Trump says he authorized covert CIA ops in Venezuela
Speed Read He is also considering military strikes inside the country
-
‘Vile, racist’ leaked chats roil Young Republicans
Speed Read Leaders of Young Republican groups made racist, antisemitic and violent comments in private chats
-
Trump ties $20B Argentina bailout to Milei votes
speed read Trump will boost Argentina’s economy — if the country’s right-wing president wins upcoming elections