Women’s March Action Urges Kansas Voters to Head to the Polls on August 2 and Vote NO on the Abortion Amendment
Women’s March Action Urges Kansas Voters to Head to the Polls on August 2 and Vote NO on the Abortion Amendment
On the heels of the overturn of Roe v. Wade, Women’s March Action launches a campaign to urge Kansans to protect women’s reproductive rights, the majority of whom support abortion
KANSAS – JULY 19, 2022 – Women's March Action, the advocacy arm of the Women’s March Foundation, today announces the launch of its Kansas campaign to get out the vote in the state ahead of the August 2 primary election, which includes a critical ballot measure on abortion. Kansas voters have an opportunity to preserve a women’s right to choose, something that is already enshrined in the state constitution.
The advocacy organization committed to ensuring a feminist future in which women have safe and legal access to reproductive healthcare, including abortion care, is contacting hundreds of thousands of voters in the state to reinforce what’s at stake on August 2. The org is urging Kansans to vote “NO” on the “Value Them Both” or “Kansas No State Constitutional Right to Abortion and Legislative Power to Regulate Abortion Amendment,” to prevent 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.
More than 70% of voters contacted via text and 50% via phone plan to vote “no” on the amendment as they don’t believe the state legislatures should ban abortion. This new data comes on the heels of the recent Kansas Speaks Survey, conducted by the Docking Institute of Public Affairs at Fort Hays State University, which found that over 60% of residents oppose making abortion completely illegal in Kansas, even in instances of rape or incest.
“The Supreme Court got it wrong on abortion and Kansas voters have a chance to make it right on August 2,” said Women’s March Action Executive Director Emiliana Guereca. “A ‘NO’ vote on the Value Them Both ballot measure preserves a women’s right to choose and protects the law as it always has under the existing Kansas state constitution. This is a critical moment in Kansas and indeed in American history. We have an opportunity to take back our country to reflect the will of the people.”
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.
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.