Many showed up to vote on a ballot initiative that would have removed abortion rights from the state’s constitution.
Surprisingly, the initiative was overwhelmingly rejected in the traditionally conservative state.
Kansas voter Jesyca Hope said: “We showed that the forefront of that fight won’t be on the East Coast. It won’t be in just traditionally red or blue states. It’s going to be in purple Kansas. And that was something to be proud of.”
Another Kansas voter Sarah Fizell added it also showed that young people care about and will want their voices heard on the issue.
“They really see bodily autonomy and safety and being able to have a say in what happens to them, as really important,” she said.
The Kansas vote was seen as the litmus test for abortion this midterm cycle. If a traditionally conservative state like Kansas could vote to protect access, then Democrats are hoping the trend could be replicated nationwide.
PIVOTAL ISSUES
The topic of abortion has the power to transcend party lines, because it is being framed as a rights issue, instead of merely a health issue, said political scientist Bob Beatty.
