To the editor:

The grassroots efforts of many local churches and other organizations are intensifying as the Aug. 2 election draws near.

Many volunteers have been putting up yard signs, spreading the word on Facebook and going door-to-door to encourage people to vote “yes” on the Value Them Both Amendment. There also is an advertisement on the electronic board at 10th and Main.

The goal is to explain why people should vote “yes” on the Amendment, which would not ban abortion; it would protect women and unborn children.

We need to restore common-sense restrictions on the abortion industry that were struck down by the Kansas Supreme Court in 2019. Now every abortion law is presumed to be unconstitutional.

There are five basic reasons to support Value Them Both:

• Informed consent

• No taxpayer-funded abortions

• No late-term or dismemberment abortions

• The restoration of health and safety regulations

• Minors would need parental consent for abortions

I don’t understand the “no” vote side of the issue because this amendment wouldn’t change any existing laws regarding abortion in Kansas that were in place prior to the court decision - even in cases of rape or other difficult circumstances.

Value Them Both just lets those laws stand, while protecting the right of the people and elected officials to debate and vote on regulations.

Currently, late-term abortion laws and health and safety regulations have been declared unconstitutional as a result of cases brought before the courts.

If Value Them Both fails at the ballot box, virtually all laws regulating the abortion industry will fall. There will be no restrictions.

Also, the number of abortions in Kansas would increase drastically because our state could be a destination for out-of-state people seeking abortions at Kansas taxpayers’ expense.

I want to thank Kansans for Life, Knights of Columbus, Kansas Catholic Conference, Kansas Family Voice and the many volunteers for all their efforts.

In addition, I encourage people to vote, whether it is by an early ballot, by mail or going to their polling place on Aug. 2.

The amendment that will be on the ballot and would be added to the state constitution states:

“Because Kansans value both women and children, the constitution of the state of Kansas does not require government funding of abortion and does not create or secure a right to abortion. To the extent permitted by the constitution of the United States, the people, through their elected state representatives and state senators, may pass laws regarding abortion, including, but not limited to, laws that account for circumstances of pregnancy resulting from rape or incest or circumstances of necessity to save the life of the mother.”

Please vote “yes” on Value Them Both.

Dennis Redburn

Great Bend