Kansas Upheld Abortion Rights And Other Key Updates From The Aug. 2 Elections

The weak performance for the anti-abortion amendment in Kansas could be due to a number of factors — as Nathaniel mentioned, status quo bias is against it, the anti-amendment side made a wide-ranging argument about bodily freedom that went beyond abortion, etc. But it’s hard to avoid the conclusion that a) abortion-rights supporters are angry and energized, at least right now and b) what red states are doing on abortion, i.e., banning it with very few exceptions, is extremely unpopular. I think this goes beyond anger over the Supreme Court’s decision — politicians in a number of states are going wayyyy outside what most Americans want on abortion, and voters aren’t likely to be happy with that.