This is more than I could have ever hoped for. To set the stage, in 2019, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled that the right to abortion was in the Kansas constitution. Remember, this is a deeply red state.
The GOP had a shit fit. And of course, the easiest way for the GOP to get what it wants is to cheat. They put a referendum on the 2022 ballot to overturn the Supreme Courts decision, and give the GOP super majority majority in the legislature control. And just to poison the well, they put the initiative on the primary ballot, when almost no Democrats of Independents bother to show up to vote.
Well, the results are in. MSNBC is reporting that the anti abortion initiative in deep red Kansas is going down, likely by an almost crushing 201 margin. This issue in Kansas was considered to be a bellwether for pro choice activism in the 2022 elections. And now we know.
If I’m a GOP candidate in 2022, and I’m anti abortion, I’m getting my resume ready for the private sector. This was supposed to be a walkover for the GOP. But it didn’t turn out that way, and the warning signs are all against the GOP.
First of all, it was reported by the Kansas Secretary of State that early and mail in balloting was up 200% over 2018 o3vels. And earlier today, MSNBC reporter Dasha Burns was at a polling station that normally served about 300 people on a normal midterm election, had already doubled their voting turnout with more than 5 hours left to go.
This is the signal the Democrats have been waiting for. The Kansas abortion ban didn’t just go down in flames, it got smoked by almost a 2-1 margin. Early voting was through the roof, anc even same day voting was thr9ugh the roof.
Now the Democrats know. Abortion rights is going to be a driving force in the 2022 midterms. And the Democrats have the wind in their sails. The Democrats now know that they can safely run on reproductive rights in 2022, and suburban GOP soccer moms are likely to have their backs. Don’t touch that dial.
When I looked at the map on CNN last night, it was striking. More counties went with “yes” to the ban but the numbers weren’t there because said counties were rural. Most of the votes were in the urban centers are went the other way. Once again has the GOP failed to account for changing conditions.
Every democrat running for office needs to refer to any and ALL restrictions and bans on reproductive healthcare as “Rapists Bills of Rights”. It’s time to change the language around reproductive healthcare to reflect the reality of the situation. Putting it baldly and accurately might just get people to think about the ramifications of reproductive healthcare bans.
Women need to vote blue before we lose that right too.
Gays, PoC,,and anyone not a right-wing extremist evangelical, get off your curve in November and,VOTE BLUE as if your lives depend on it, because without abortion, it will.
Dems,,talk it up. Loudly.