Two Years Ago Kansans Voted Overwhelmingly to Protect Reproductive Rights, Yet Over 100 Kansas Politicians Continue to Ignore the Will of Voters

Many of these legislators ignored the will of voters in their district to push their extreme anti-abortion agenda

July 31, 2024

TOPEKA – Two years ago, Kansans shocked the nation and voted overwhelmingly to protect women’s reproductive rights and their right to keep government out of their private health care decisions. This landmark vote was a significant victory for advocates and citizens across Kansas, affirming the fundamental right of individuals to make decisions about their own bodies.

“This week marks the second anniversary of a historic vote where 59% of Kansans voted to protect reproductive rights in our state and keep politicians out of these deeply personal decisions,” said Ashley All, President of Kansas Coalition for Common Sense. “Voters made clear in August 2022 that Kansans deserve the right to privacy and to make our own personal medical decisions about contraception, fertility, pregnancy, miscarriage care, and abortion. Elected leaders should listen.”

Despite overwhelming public support for abortion rights, over 110 legislators voted against these fundamental freedoms during the last legislative session. Sixty-six of those politicians even ignored the will of the voters in their very own district to push an extreme anti-abortion agenda that violates Kansans’ freedom.

“Not only did these politicians ignore the majority of Kansans, many of them even ignored voters in the district that they represent- all so they could violate our privacy and control Kansas women,” All said. “Government has no business interfering in the private medical decisions made by patients in consultation with their doctors and their families. It is time voters hold these politicians accountable for their extreme votes that violate our rights.”

Kansas has a long history of navigating reproductive rights issues, with significant legal battles, protests, and societal debates. The culmination of decades of work by advocates and community leaders led to a decisive moment on August 2nd, 2022 when Kansas voters rejected a proposed constitutional amendment that would have given politicians the power to ban abortion.

In 2022, Kansas became the first state in the nation to vote on abortion rights following the Supreme Court ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson’s Women’s Health Organization. Several other states followed suit, including Michigan, Kentucky, and Ohio, building on lessons learned in Kansas.

As Kansans observe this anniversary, it is an important opportunity to reflect on the values of Kansas votersfreedom, fairness, equality, and hard work. The historic vote on August 2nd, 2022, remains a driving force for safeguarding individual rights and freedoms in Kansas and across the country.

Background:

111 lawmakers voted to override the governor’s veto on HB 2749:

113 lawmakers voted to override the governor’s veto on Sub for HB 2436:

66 politicians voted against the will of their OWN District:

Over 100 politicians voted to:

  • Require healthcare providers to violate patient privacy and report to the government the patient’s private, personal health information.
  • Criminalize the discussions doctors have with patients about high risk pregnancies, abortion, and private health decisions.
  • Further restrict the right to access abortion.

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