Domestic Policy and the 2022 Elections
Abortion rights became one of the most important issues during the 2022 election as a result of the Supreme Court decision in Dobbs v Jackson. Six states would hold referendums dealing with abortion rights that year. This issue of abortion would be very beneficial for Democrats in the 2022 election – they hoped this issue would increase voter turnout amongst Democrats. An August referendum in Kansas would show whether the issue could encourage voter turnout in 2022. More people voted in the Kansas referendum than voted in the 2014 midterm election.
Instructors: click the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. The deck contains a writing prompt and a debate question as well as other assessment questions.
Download: Domestic Policy and the 2022 Elections
Videos
News Articles
What We Know (And Don’t Know) About How Abortion Affected the Midterms
NPR
11/25/2022
How Abortion Rights Will Shape The 2022 Midterm Elections
US News
10/24/2022
https://www.usnews.com/news/elections/articles/abortion-rights-and-the-2022-elections
Midterms Bring Major Constitutional Wins for Abortion Rights
11/10/2022
Axios
https://www.axios.com/2022/11/09/abortion-election-results-midterm-constitution-amendment
Kansas Votes to Preserve Abortion Rights in Its Constitution
08/02/2022
New York Times
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/02/us/kansas-abortion-rights-vote.html
Here’s How Abortion Rights Supporters Won in Conservative Kansas
New York Times
08/03/2022
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/02/us/politics/abortion-kansas-vote-result-no.html
“The Central Issue”: How the Fall of Roe v Wade Shook the 2022 Election
Politico
12/19/2022
https://www.politico.com/news/2022/12/19/dobbs-2022-election-abortion-00074426
People Said Voters Wouldn’t Care About This Issue. Midterm Election Results Tell A Different Story
CNN
11/10./2022
https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/10/opinions/midterm-elections-abortion-rights-ziegler/index.html
Assessment
Debate: What type of ballot measures might increase the likelihood you would vote in an election?
Do you think the issue of abortion rights increased voter turnout in 2022?
Poll: Should your state add a ban on abortions to your state constitution?
Should votes on amendments to state constitutions occur during the general election or should they occur in a separate election?
Short Answer: Name the six states that help referendums on abortion rights in 2022.
