Kansas voters say no to ballot measure to end abortion rights being enshrined in state constitution

Kansas voters on Tuesday said no to a ballot measure to end abortion rights being enshrined in the state constitution, a decision being considered a victory for abortion rights activists.

The Associated Press reported 62% of voters said "no" to the proposed constitutional amendment with about 90% of the vote counted.

In the balloting, Kansas became the first state in the U.S. to allow voters decide on abortion law since the Supreme Court overturned its decades-old ruling in the case Roe v. Wade, which provided a constitutional right to abortion.

A yes vote likely would have allowed Kansas' GOP-led legislature to further restrict abortions in the state, some observers said.