Kansas early voting turnout so far is 246% higher than the last midterm primary in 2018
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Kansas abortion vote: What to know
The state is the first to vote on abortion rights after the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Here’s what to know about the vote and the abortion debate in Kansas.
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Early voter turnout in Kansas ahead of Tuesday’s election is significantly higher than it was at this point in 2018, the last midterm primary election.
As of Wednesday, 110,697 votes have been cast in person, according to the Kansas Secretary of State. That’s more than three times the number of votes counted than at this point in 2018: Only 32,004 early votes had been cast at this point four years ago.
That’s a roughly 246% increase in early in-person votes.
Tuesday’s primary election includes a vote on an amendment to the Kansas state constitution that would remove the right to abortion. Kansas will be the first state to hold a vote on abortion rights following the Supreme Court’s decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREYour quick guide to the Kansas abortion amendment
The Kansas state constitution currently protects the right to abortion, but the upcoming Aug. 2 vote will ask voters to decide on an amendment that would get rid of that right.
If Kansans vote yes on the ballot and the amendment passes, the legislature will have the opportunity to impose new restrictions on abortion, which could include banning the procedure. A ban would not go in place immediately, but legislators would be able to pass one. Earlier this year, a state legislator introduced a bill that would have banned and criminalized nearly all abortions, but it never got a hearing and died once the legislative session closed in May.
If Kansans vote no and the amendment does not pass, the legislature would continue to be barred from passing most legislation that impedes on an individual’s access to abortion. Any new abortion restrictions would need to clear an extremely high level of “strict scrutiny” from the court to become law. Current abortion restrictions could be challenged in court, but any actual changes to the current restrictions would depend on Kansas courts ruling that the regulation in question violates the state’s constitution.
All registered voters can participate in the vote, regardless of party affiliation.
The Star answered the most common reader questions we received about the abortion amendment here.
The number of mailed ballots returned to Kansas election offices is also up significantly since this point in the 2018 primary. 52,865 advance ballots have been returned so far this year, compared to 24,063 during the last midterm primary. That’s more than double the 2018 number.
Early voting continues in Kansas until Aug. 1, the day before Election Day. Check the early voting dates, hours and locations in Johnson and Wyandotte Counties here.
The deadline has passed to request an absentee ballot, but you can return one you have already requested using these steps.
Election Day is on Tuesday, Aug. 2, and polls will be open from 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. Find your polling place by typing in your address here.
Curious who is on your ballot and what they stand for? Check out The Star’s voter guide here.
Do you have more questions about the August 2 primary elections in Kansas and Missouri? Ask the Service Journalism team at kcq@kcstar.com.
This story was originally published July 28, 2022 at 3:46 PM.
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