Here are The Star’s endorsements in the Aug. 2 Kansas and Missouri primary elections

Voters in Kansas and Missouri will go to the polls Tuesday, Aug. 2, to cast ballots in several important races.

We urge every registered voter to participate in the election. In Kansas, voters register by party, or as unaffiliated. All registered voters are eligible to vote on the abortion amendment. In Missouri, voters do not register by party.

Here are the Star’s recommendations.

Kansas abortion constitutional amendment: No

Anti-abortion advocates say the amendment will not ban abortions in the state, which is technically accurate but deeply misleading. The amendment enables an abortion ban, like a key unlocks a door.

And no one should doubt — no one — that conservative Republicans will move almost immediately to prohibit the procedure if the so-called Value Them Both Amendment passes. Some lawmakers are already discussing the possibility.

The forces that have fought the Roe decision for 50 years will not be content with merely regulating the cleanliness of abortion clinics. They want to prohibit the procedure. Kansans should look to Texas and Louisiana to see what’s next if the amendment prevails.

The Kansas Supreme Court has said some restrictions to abortion are permissible in the state, but that women have a fundamental, inalienable right to make decisions about their own health and safety. Abortion is not a decision for lawmakers, or the courts, or anyone but a woman and her doctor.

We know some people will vote on the amendment based on their faith. That reason is as valid as any other.

But no religion has a right to impose its beliefs on those who worship in other ways, or not at all. To believe otherwise is un-American and anti-freedom. Vote no.

Missouri 4th District US House GOP primary: Taylor Burks

We endorse Taylor Burks, a former Navy officer and once the county clerk in Boone County, Missouri.

Among the Republican candidates who agreed to answer our questions, Burks seemed the most willing to reach across the aisle if elected to Congress. He discussed his work with Democrats in Boone County, which he said could be a template for his work in Washington.

Missouri needs members of Congress who value accomplishment above partisanship.

To be clear, we do not share most of Burks’ political views. He argues for virtually unlimited gun rights, against abortion rights, and for “election integrity,” a code for barely-disguised Big Lie enthusiasm.

We were impressed with Kalena Bruce, who showed a deep understanding of agricultural issues, which are critical in the 4th District. We were less impressed with Bill Irwin and Kyle LaBrue, who also agreed to talk with us.

We did not hear from Mark Alford, Jim Campbell or Rick Brattin. That’s no surprise: Alford and Brattin are clearly unprepared to take honest questions about public policy, and should not be taken seriously.

In the end, Burks is the best of the field. We urge Republicans to support his candidacy.

Kansas Attorney General GOP primary: Tony Mattivi

Republicans in Kansas have an easy, important choice in the attorney general’s race: Tony Mattivi.

We found the former prosecutor to be thoughtful and responsive during our time with him. He’s qualified for the job, and would be a great Republican candidate.

“I plan to be an attorney general who’s focused on being the Kansas attorney general, not on getting on Fox News,” Mattivi said. In this race, and in this state, that’s a breath of fresh air.

To be sure, we’re not aligned with many of his policy positions, particularly on abortion rights, the death penalty and legalized marijuana (he opposes it). But Kansans want and deserve an attorney general focused on their needs, not TV stardom.

His GOP opponents are Kris Kobach and state Sen. Kellie Warren. Kobach is a disaster, and should never get near public office again. Warren is almost as bad. Neither agreed to take questions.

Kansas Republicans should nominate Tony Mattivi on Tuesday.