Name: Abortion's status as a Kansas constitutional right to be on August 2022 ballot
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Abortion's status as a Kansas constitutional right to be on August 2022 ballot

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Topeka Capital-JournalView CommentsAfter failing last year, it's final. Abortion will be on the August 2022 ballot.The Kansas Legislature passed with two-thirds majorities a constitutional amendment that would overturn a Kansas Supreme Court ruling that abortion is a state constitutional right, as well as allowing the regulation of abortion.Democratic Gov.&nbsp;Laura Kelly has no power to veto this. But the Value Them Both amendment only becomes constitutional law&nbsp;if voters approve it.&nbsp;Proponents have argued for putting this issue before voters, saying that the ruling has threatened already-passed, common-sense limitations on abortion, such as&nbsp;24-hour waiting periods, parental consent or legislation preventing taxpayer money from being used for abortions."I do not believe even for a second that the staunchest abortion supporter in this room and in this state want unregulated abortion," said Rep. Susan Humphries, R-Wichita.&nbsp;"So let the people of Kansas decide. As it stands now, every safeguard is in danger of being struck down."&nbsp;But opponents say if Roe v. Wade, which protected a woman's right to choose to have an abortion, gets overturned by the U.S. Supreme Court, Value Them Both would pave the way for abortion to be banned by legislators in Kansas.&nbsp;"We're concerned because we can see the writing on the wall," said Rachel Sweet, public policy director of Planned Parenthood Great Plains. "Proponents have downplayed ... concerns that this amendment would lead to a full ban on abortion."Supporters of the amendment have said those fears are overplayed and that it won't be the case. But pro-choice advocates have pointed to other states who've attempted to do so when similar amendments were passed.The amendment failed last year due to concerns on what election date the issue should appear on. Similar concerns were brought up as to why the primary&nbsp;and not the general election."This should be done at an election that has turnout, and built-in turnout, and that is historically and decidedly the general election," said Rep. Jason Probst, D-Hutchinson, who attempted to change the election date for the issue to November's general election. "Primaries tend to turn out partisans. It allows this issue... to be decided by a handful of people who regularly participate in primary partisan elections."Jeanne Gawdun of Kansans for Life told The Topeka Capital-Journal that putting it on the August primaries would be better to give more focus on the issue, with fewer&nbsp;issues and races on the ballot. She also emphasized that the primaries&nbsp;wouldn't restrict anybody from voting on this issue in 2022.Democrats and pro-choice advocates expressed dismay at the amendment's passage."We are weaponizing fear and emotion to control our fellow Kansans," said Senate Minority Leader Dinah Sykes, D-Lenexa. "This is a mistake and we will regret this ...&nbsp; vote."&nbsp;The other side, however, was elated."Thank you to the Kansas Senate for standing for women and babies! Now it’s up to Kansas Voters!" tweeted Kansans for Life.Now, eyes will be turned to campaigning from both sides of the abortion issue, which is expected to be fierce.&nbsp;Anti-abortion rights advocates will face some messaging struggles with people who may mistakenly see this amendment as an outright&nbsp;ban on abortion. It's a difficulty they have acknowledged as a reason why this was put on 2022 instead of sooner, to give time to get the messaging right.&nbsp;Pro-choice folks, on the other hand, will attempt to frame it as eventually leading to that result, as well as an assault&nbsp;on women's rights. They'll face an uphill climb with a state&nbsp;electorate that just voted in a more conservative, Republican supermajority for&nbsp;the Legislature.View Comments

Topeka Capital-JournalView CommentsAfter failing last year, it's final. Abortion will be on the August 2022 ballot.The Kansas Legislature passed with two-thirds majorities a constitutional amendment that would overturn a Kansas Supreme Court ruling that abortion is a state constitutional right, as well as allowing the regulation of abortion.Democratic Gov.&nbsp;Laura Kelly has no power to veto this. But the Value Them Both amendment only becomes constitutional law&nbsp;if voters approve it.&nbsp;Proponents have argued for putting this issue before voters, saying that the ruling has...

Abortion's status as a Kansas constitutional right to be on August 2022 ballot

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