The Value Them Both amendment is up for voter approval on Aug. 2.

But what is it?

The amendment would nullify the current statute that served as the foundation for a Kansas Supreme Court decision and alter the state's constitution to explicitly state that residents do not have the right to an abortion. As a result, the state's current abortion laws would be reestablished, making way for potential future legislative initiatives.

This would mean the Kanas State Legislature would be able to regulate abortions in the state, whereas the Kansas Supreme Court has ruled the lawmakers have no say in the matter under the current constitution.

The ballot summary for the amendment is provided below. 

“The Value Them Both amendment would affirm there is no Kansas constitutional right to abortion or to require the government funding of abortion, and would reserve to the people of Kansas, through their elected state legislators, the right to pass laws to regulate abortion, including, but not limited to, in circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest, or when necessary to save the life of the mother.  A vote for the Value Them Both amendment would affirm there is no Kansas constitutional right to abortion or to require the government funding of abortion, and would reserve to the people of Kansas, through their elected state legislators, the right to pass laws to regulate abortion.  A vote against the Value Them Both amendment would make no changes to the constitution of the state of Kansas, and could restrict the people, through their elected state legislators, from regulating abortion by leaving in place the recently recognized right to abortion."

The supporters of Value Then Both recently shared why abortion laws currently on the books are not being recognized by the state’s high court.

“Because of a radical 2019 Kansas Supreme Court ruling, EVERY limit on the abortion industry is PRESUMED UNCONSTITUTIONAL,” Value Them Both said on Facebook. “Our laws stopping live dismemberment abortions and requiring abortion clinic inspection and sanitation standards have already been struck down.”

“If Value Them Both does not pass, virtually all laws regulating the abortion industry will fall and the Kansas City Star has reported we could see a 1,000% increase in abortions in our state. Value Them Both will keep Kansas from becoming a permanent destination for abortions. Value Them Both is NOT a ban on abortion -- the only thing Value Them Both bans is taxpayer funding of abortion.”

On its website, the group delved further into the issue.

Mackenzie Haddix, deputy communications director for the Value Them Both Campaign, said the amendment is needed to give Kansans the right to decide if they want to regulate abortion in the state. 

“The U.S. Supreme Court restored the people’s ability to come to individual consensus on abortion limits — but not in Kansas," Haddix said on the group’s website. "As it stands today, unelected judges in Kansas are the ones who will decide the fate of abortion limits. The Value Them Both amendment is a reasonable approach and will ensure Kansas does not remain a permanent destination for the most extreme and painful abortion procedures."

“At this historically important time, the question before Kansans on Aug. 2 is clear: an unregulated abortion industry with no limits at all or the reasonable limits protected by the Value Them Both amendment.”