Getting texts on Kansas abortion constitution amendment? Here's what a 'yes' and 'no' vote means.

Less than 24 hours before Kansans head to the polls to weigh in on a proposed abortion constitutional amendment, voters complained Monday of being inundated with misleading text messages on the issue.

While some voters have already cast an advance ballot, Aug. 2 is the date when most people will head to the polls to vote "yes" or "no" on the Value Them Both Amendment.

Beginning Monday afternoon, registered Democrat voters began sharing images of text messages they received, which implied a "yes" vote would support abortion rights, which is inaccurate.

"Voting Yes on the Amendment will give women a choice,"  the message read. "Vote YES to protect women’s health."

More: What do 'yes' and 'no' votes mean for Kansas' Value Them Both anti-abortion amendment?

Responding to the text, which originated from an unidentified 888 area code only appeared to generate an automated response. The original message did not identify the identity of the sender.

The Value Them Both Coalition, as well as its member groups, were not involved in the texts, spokesperson Mackenzie Haddix said in an email.

Ashley All, a spokesperson for Kansans for Constitutional Freedom, said in a statement that "thousands" of voters, including former Gov. Kathleen Sebelius, got the message.

Registered Republican voters also said they were hit with misleading texts that appeared to conflate the two sides of the issue, though not as directly. The origin of that text was also unclear.

"Voting NO protects 19 laws that heavily restrict and regulate abortion," the text, sent from a 785 area code, read. "Will you be voting yes or no?"

The text uses a common talking point among anti-abortion activists, who argue the amendment is necessarily to prevent existing abortion regulations from being struck down by the courts, though some legal experts dispute that analysis.

More: Kansas abortion amendment debate features misleading claims. Here's a Value Them Both fact check.

Mark Skoglund, director of the Kansas Governmental Ethics Commission, said the texts do not violate state law.

If a text blast advocates for or against a candidate, then messages are required to have a "paid for" attribution denotating its origin.

But a separate statute governs communications related to constitutional amendments and makes no mention of telephonic or text message communications, Skoglund said.

Additionally, there is no statutory requirement that any campaign messaging be truthful.

The texts would appear to violate Federal Communications Commission rules requiring texts and calls state their source at the beginning of the message.

Here is a look at what voting "yes" and "no" on the amendment mean.

What does a 'yes' vote mean?

A yes vote adds a section on abortion to the state constitution, which would explicitly allow lawmakers to regulate abortion while eliminating the constitutional right to an abortion. The amendment would allow, but not require, exceptions for life of the mother, rape and incest.

It would also say the government isn't required to fund abortion. Kansas already has a law banning taxpayer funding from paying for abortions, except when federal law requires it. Federal health programs require exceptions for rape, incest and life of the mother.

More: Millions pour into Kansas' abortion fight, as constitutional amendment vote looms large

What does a 'no' vote mean?

A no vote means the constitution won't be amended, leaving in place a Kansas Supreme Court ruling that protects abortion rights. It would be harder, but not impossible, for politicians to restrict abortion access.

Taxpayer funding for abortion would remain generally banned under existing law.

Does the amendment ban abortion?

No, abortion would remain legal in Kansas in the immediate aftermath of the vote.

Republican political leaders and anti-abortion lobbyists have offered little information on whether they will pursue a ban or any new restrictions if the amendment passes. They have not publicly supported or condemned two proposals to ban the procedure, one which was introduced last session and one that the National Right to Life Committee drafted.

More: Top Kansas Republicans won't say if they will push model abortion ban if voters amend constitution

Jason Tidd is a statehouse reporter for the Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at jtidd@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jason_Tidd.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Amid misleading texts, here is what Kansas' abortion amendment means