Maybe Kansas should do another referendum from the other direction

[Shrek]

The constitutional protection for abortion rights isn't actually textual and relies on the court's reading of the state Bill of Rights. In other words, a different set of future justices could easily pull a Dobbs and overturn the decision.

Given the vote last night, it seems likely that an amendment to clearly and explicitly articulate the right to an abortion would be passed by the electorate (especially if done soon, when people are still paying attention and the issue is fresh in their minds). That would put it out of reach of any potentially hostile future justices.

[Wounded Bear]

1. I think Colorado is moving in that direction...nt

[exboyfil]

2. Could it be ready for the 2022 general election?

Seems like a great idea.

[AZSkiffyGeek]

3. Probably too late

They tried in AZ to get it on the ballot, but they started too late and didn't really get any publicity until a week before the sigs were due. They still got about 3/4 what they needed, I think. It SHOULD be on the ballot everywhere it can be in 24 though.

[Shrek]

4. In theory it could be, but it's tricky

The problem is that before going on the ballot the proposed amendment has to be approved by super-majorities in both houses of the state legislature.

Until yesterday I would have said there is zero chance of that happening, but now I just don't know. The vote wasn't close and that might be enough to spook some legislators. If they allow it to go on the ballot it becomes the responsibility of the voters and legislators don't have to be accountable. They might just leave it to the electorate and shrug their shoulders.

[bottrott]

5. The language of the referendum alone would be a fight

that distracts from the mid-terms. Right now folks are riding a visceral reaction to Dobbs but the instant you start to talk specific rights/limits, you begin to segment the electorate. That could peel away crossover support we may now have to pick up badly needed state seats currently in the hands of fascists, as remote the possibility even with those votes. No question it has to be done but I say we use the raw anger cudgel to do as much damage to these wanna-be dictators as we can in this election.