The Kansans’ Tuesday vote signals that life after Roe v. Wade will be challenging.
The pro-life movement was dealt a blow when residents in the red state opposed a proposal to eliminate the right to abortion from the Kansas Charter.
However, the situation in Kansas is a direct result of what Roe’s overturning permits. Federalism is a positive concept. It also means some people and politicians will try to defend abortion, while other states will pass laws that make it harder to have an abortion.
BREAKING: Kansas voters overwhelmingly back keeping abortion rights enshrined in the state Constitution, NBC News projects. https://t.co/NDfv2yXQO4
— NBC News (@NBCNews) August 3, 2022
Abortion Hasn’t Ended
Regardless, the loss of Roe v. Wade and Casey v. Planned Parenthood never signified the end of abortion. The pro-life cause still has much to do.
Perhaps the recent win at the Supreme Court, plus the fact that Kansas is a red state, gave pro-lifers greater confidence than was warranted. The abortion business is strong, energetic, and hostile.
It is uncertain whether this will impact the midterms or the presidential race in 2024. Though for the time being, it is sufficient to dampen the momentum many pro-life advocates have felt since Roe v. Wade was overruled.
Supporters of abortion in Kansas benefited from their closeness to the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization and the near-constant alarmism that has followed.
It is impossible to refute the falsehood that the Dobbs ruling permanently outlawed abortion in all circumstances.
This is the abortion advocacy strategy. Lie about the post-Roe abortion scene in order to gain traction against pro-life movements. Shortly after the Dobbs ruling, the number of Kansas women eligible to vote increased dramatically.
HUGE thank you to the amazing volunteers and the folks on the ground who did the work to ensure abortion rights were protected in Kansas. The impact for the whole region–where so many states have banned abortion–cannot be overstated.
— Christina Reynolds (@creynoldsnc) August 3, 2022
On Tuesday, a staggering number of people showed up at the polls.
According to the Washington Post, the grand total was nearly 25 percent more ballots cast than in the state’s Senate Democratic and Republican primaries. It represents around two-thirds of the votes cast in the presidential election in 2020.
Pro-Life Needs to Step Up
Regardless of their opinion, voters across the country are strongly attached to and driven by the abortion issue.
Those who erroneously perceive Dobbs as restricting women’s rights and their liberty are, nonetheless, the most emotionally charged. Regardless of its accuracy, well-funded communication has an effect.
The aftermath of the Dobbs judgment highlights the necessity for a vibrant pro-life movement. The desire for a post-Roe generation has been fulfilled. That merits celebration.
Though above all else, Dobbs represents a further step in the correct direction. Developing and nurturing a lifestyle culture in the United States remains the ultimate objective.
Kentucky, California, Montana, and Vermont will join Kansas in proposing amendments to their state constitutions or particular statutes in November. Roe was a nationwide reality for over 50 years; yet the pro-life movement never once chose to falter.
This article appeared in Powerhouse News and has been published here with permission.
