Abortion across America
Yesterday, Kansas became the first state to vote on whether abortion should be constitutionally protected since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in late June.
🗳️ A deeper dive… Kansans headed to the polls to weigh-in on a proposed state constitutional amendment that, if supported by at least 50% of voters, would allow lawmakers to restrict or outright ban abortion.
- As of last night with 96.7% of the ballots counted, 58.8% voted to reject the amendment versus 41.2% who voted in support, meaning abortion is likely to remain legal and accessible in the state.
🏛️ On Capitol Hill: The Justice Department filed a lawsuit yesterday challenging Idaho's near-total abortion ban, which is set to take effect later this month and would outlaw the procedure unless it’s needed to save a pregnant person’s life.
📸 Big picture: 22 states have laws on the books that could be used to ban most or all abortions, according to the Guttmacher Institute, a policy group that supports abortion rights and tracks national abortion statistics.
To date, nine states have enforced those laws, covering 39% of all reproductive-age US women.
- On the flip side, sixteen states plus D.C. have established protections for abortion rights, covering 38% of all reproductive-age US women.👇
Image: WSJ
👀 Looking ahead… This November, voters in as many as six states – including California, Montana, Kentucky, and Vermont – will weigh in on proposed laws to either expand or weaken abortion access.
đź“Š Flash poll: How do you want your state to handle abortion?
See a 360° view of what the media is saying →
Sprinkles from the Left
- Some commentators argue that the Kansas amendment is purposefully and misleadingly titled so that voters aren’t able to easily determine what a “yes” or “no” vote actually means.
- Others contend that Kansas could serve as a blueprint for other states where the general public doesn’t agree with Republican lawmakers’ crusade to ban abortion.
- “Kansas' abortion amendment invites legal chaos” –Stephen R. McAllister,professor at the University of Kansas School of Law
- “In Kansas and other states, voters have the power to defend the right to an abortion” –LA Times Editorial Board
- “What the Biden Administration Could Do Now to Protect Abortion Rights” –NY Times Editorial Board
Sprinkles from the Right
- Some commentators argue that the Kansas referendum on abortion is exactly how the system of government should work in the US, with residents of each state deciding for themselves whether to allow abortion or not.
- Others contend that the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade won’t have as much of an effect on the November midterms and subsequent elections as many Democrats think it will.
- “Abortion, democracy and history” –Star Parker, president of the Center for Urban Renewal and Education
- “Will Abortion Save the Democrats?” –WSJ Editorial Board
- “The Disingenuous Debate over Ectopic Pregnancy and Miscarriage” –Alexandra Desanctis, National Review
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