In one of the more exciting and far-reaching results in yesterday's elections was the decision by voters in conservative Kansas to retain provisions in their state constitution that protect abortion rights. With heavy voter turnout, the results weren't close: the ballot measure was leading by roughly 20 percentage points with most of the votes counted. From the Associated Press:
"Kansas voters on Tuesday sent a resounding message about their desire to protect abortion rights, rejecting a ballot measure in a conservative state with deep ties to the anti-abortion movement that would have allowed the Republican-controlled Legislature to tighten restrictions or ban the procedure outright.
It was the first test of voter sentiment after the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in June that overturned the constitutional right to abortion, providing an unexpected result with potential implications for the coming midterm elections. [snip]
The vote also provided a dash of hope for Democrats nationwide grasping for a game-changer during an election year otherwise filled with dark omens for their prospects in November." (our emphasis)
The issue of women's reproductive rights proved to be a catalyst for voter turnout in a state that the Malignant Loser won by 15 points. The celebrations of the forced birth Christofascists after the right-wing Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade are proving to be premature in the "be careful what you wish for" way. More importantly, it will send shockwaves through the forced birth Republican / Seditionist Party for this November's election and beyond, who are increasingly on the wrong side of the public on numerous issues.
(photo: John Hanna/AP)
