In the two years since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, Kansas has become a regional abortion access point for tens of thousands of women from states where the procedure is banned. A new survey found that nearly half of Kansas voters believe it is a good thing that the state provides abortion access, while 40% disagreed and 12% were unsure. There were significant political divisions on the issue, with Democrats mostly supporting abortion rights while Republicans were less in favor.
Abortion is legal until 22 weeks of pregnancy in Kansas, with restrictions such as parental consent for minors and special clinic regulations in place. Despite efforts by anti-abortion groups and a proposed constitutional amendment to further restrict the procedure, nearly 60% of voters rejected the amendment in August 2022. The issue of abortion has gained significant voter interest following the 2022 Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health decision, potentially influencing voters to cross party lines.
The Kansas Supreme Court has actively protected abortion access in the state, ruling that residents have a right to personal autonomy, including the right to obtain an abortion. While anti-abortion legislation has been pursued by the Republican-controlled supermajority in the Kansas Legislature, the issue may not be as motivating for voters as in other states with strict abortion bans. Overall, the political landscape surrounding abortion rights in Kansas remains complex and contentious.
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