Voters in Kansas, in the US Midwest, began voting in the first major abortion ballot on Tuesday.
They must say whether or not the Constitution of this traditionally conservative state should be amended to remove the guarantee of the right to abortion
The vote, which coincides with the Kansas primaries, is the first opportunity for American voters to express their views on abortion since the Supreme Court overturned its landmark ruling reversing the 1973 amendment, Roe v.
Wade.
Beyond the very concrete consequences that this vote could have for the inhabitants of Kansas, the ballot is seen as a political test at the national level, many conservative states having already banned or intending to quickly ban any right to abortion.
And other states, including California and Kentucky, are due to vote on the issue in November,
Currently, abortion is legal in Kansas up to 22 weeks of pregnancy.
Parental authorization is required for minors.
Read alsoAbortion rights revoked in the United States: how the Supreme Court reversed an achievement of nearly 50 years
Deep political divisions
In Kansas, those in favor of the change, the supporters of the "yes", say that it would allow lawmakers to regulate abortion without interference from the judiciary.
The “Value Theme Both” campaign, in French “Les deux compte”, a reference to the woman and the fetus, ensures that the ban on abortion is not its objective.
In Kansas itself, a local conservative elected official introduced a bill this year that would ban abortion without exceptions for rape, incest or to protect the life of the mother.
But on the opposite side, the "no" camp, activists see the constitutional amendment as a thinly veiled attempt to pave the way for a clear cut ban by the Republican-dominated local parliament, which would thus follow in the footsteps of at least eight other American states since the decision of the United States Supreme Court in June.
"No" supporters watch anxiously as neighboring states of Missouri and Oklahoma have imposed near-total bans.
Missouri does not allow exceptions for rape or incest.
Democrats strongly support abortion rights, while conservatives generally support at least some restrictions.
State leans heavily Republican and has not voted for a Democrat in the White House since 1964. Tuesday's results could be dire for pro-abortion voters.
