Kansas Votes to Protect Women’s Right to Choose
Today, Kansas voters said “NO” on the “Value Them Both” or “Kansas No State Constitutional Right to Abortion and Legislative Power to Regulate Abortion Amendment,” preventing the state legislature from abandoning long-recognized precedent on abortion protections enshrined in the state constitution and banning a woman’s right over her own body.
“The Supreme Court got it wrong and today voters made sure their reproductive rights are protected in Kansas,” says Women’s March Action Founder and Executive Director Emiliana Guereca. “When women organize, we win. Today is the start of winning the battle for reproductive rights, which we will do, state by state. Women will decide our elections moving forward and today is proof that the minority can no longer decide for women.”
Guereca continues, “Today the voters of Kansas spoke and their resounding NO makes clear they value their liberty, freedom and right to bodily autonomy. Kansans today took back their right as citizens in a Democratic society and pushed back against the right-wing takeover of the Supreme Court.
The Kansas State Legislature now has a clear directive that abortion is protected right and something the majority of their constituents believe should be legal.
What’s more, the entire country is watching Kansas. Today’s outcome will influence other states proposing similar ballot measures. Proposals are already on the ballot in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Montana, Vermont and Michigan, with more likely to come. A women’s vote is now needed more than ever. We have great hope that other states will follow in Kansas’ footsteps and enshrine a woman’s control over her own body.”
Women’s March Action has contacted hundreds of thousands of voters in recent weeks, and the majority says they don’t believe state legislatures should ban abortion. In talking with voters in Kansas and around the country, they hear the same thing over and over again – average Americans from Los Angeles to Los Alamos are worried that those in power are not acting within the will of the people.
The majority of Americans believe in a woman’s right to choose. This intel is affirmed by accredited research that shows more than 60% of Americans who believe abortion should be legal in most or all cases, according to a recent Pew study.
“This is a critical moment in American history. We have an opportunity to take back our country to reflect the will of the people,” expresses Guereca.
“We will continue to show up in Kansas and other states across the country, mobilizing voters and holding the legislatures accountable and ensuring that the voice of the majority is heard. May Kansas serve as a shining example. This is our second chance. Let’s not squander it.”
Kansas is the first stop in Women’s March Action multi-state initiative as part of its recently launched Defend Democracy campaign to elect pro-choice candidates across the country. The campaign is targeting 16 states and partnering with candidates, elected officials, and community-based organizations in efforts to add more Democrats to the ballot box, protect abortion rights in ballot measures coming online this summer, and to strengthen November elections and institutions against the extreme right wing trying to dismantle them.
Defend Democracy Action is making a tangible impact by convening activists and organizers across the country, hosting events, contacting eligible voters and bringing communities together. The advocacy organization’s wide-reaching efforts will add voters to the rolls nationwide with an eye toward the 2022 midterm elections. The new campaign leverages grassroots groups on the ground to register voters in their communities, with a focus on the 9 million who relocated during the pandemic across the top 15 states of interest and maximum opportunity to fight for the country, one voter at a time.
To learn more about the Defend Democracy Action campaign, please visit: womensmarchaction.com/defend-democracy-action.
Contributor:
Women’s March Action is a 501c4 organization that is committed to dismantling systems of oppression through nonviolent resistance and building inclusive structures guided by self-determination, dignity and respect. Women’s March Action provides intersectional education, training, outreach programs and entry points for grassroots activists & organizers to engage in local communities within the political sphere. Women’s March Action is not affiliated with Women’s March Inc.
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