Kansas: Partial Recount Favors Abortion Rights

Facts

• A partial recount has affirmed an August 2 referendum result in support of retaining Kansas's constitutionally protected right to abortion, with a discrepancy of fewer than 100 votes after the last county recounted on Sunday.
• The referendum saw Kansans reject a ballot initiative that sought to remove abortion rights protections enshrined in the state's Bill of Rights by 59 to 41 percent.
• The partial recount was conducted by hand in nine out of the 105 counties, with those opposed to stripping abortion rights from the constitution losing 57 votes and those in favor gaining six votes.
• The initiative was the first state-wide abortion referendum since SCOTUS overturned the federally protected right to abortion enshrined in Roe v. Wade, giving states license to ban the procedure.
• The partial recount cost $119k and was requested by Kansan Melissa Leavitt - who has advocated for stricter election laws - and backed by long-time anti-abortion activist Mark Gietzen who helped cover the costs.
• In 2019, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled that the state's Bill of Rights protects a woman's right to "make her own decisions regarding her body, health, family formation, and family life - decisions that can include whether to continue a pregnancy."

Sources: PBS News Hour, New York Times, Associated Press, Currently, and NPR Online News.

Narratives

• Left narrative, as provided by Salon. As proven by this referendum, most Americans support the right to control one's own body, including the right to an abortion. Republicans clearly weren't in touch with reality when they decided to bring this vote to the primary ballot and when they demanded a recount.
• Right narrative, as provided by FOX News. While this is a disappointing loss for Kansans and Americans nationwide, it's only one round in the abortion dispute. The pro-life movement must work even more diligently to educate people on ways to protect the preborn and their mothers.