Marilyn Lands’s surprise victory suggests reproductive rights are key issue for voters ahead of Biden-Trump rematch in November
One of the earliest indications that the overturning of Roe v Wade would represent an earthquake in American politics was seen in Kansas, another reliably Republican state.
Just weeks after the supreme court’s decision in 2022, Kansas voters rejected a referendum that would have allowed abortion to be banned in the state. But the Associated Press reports that Republicans who dominate the Kansas legislature haven’t given up, and yesterday approved a law that will require doctors to ask women the reasons why they are seeking an abortion. The Democratic governor, Laura Kelly, is likely to veto it, but the GOP appears to have the votes to override it.
At least eight states require similar reporting, but none of them has had a statewide vote on abortion rights as Kansas did in August 2022. In the first state ballot question on abortion after the US supreme court’s Dobbs decision, voters decisively protected abortion rights under the state constitution.
Democrats are frustrated because Republicans and anti-abortion groups have pursued new rules for abortion providers despite the 2022 vote. But supporters of the reporting bill say it would give the state better data that would help legislators make policy decisions.
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