In recent years, Catholic bishops have spent millions on campaigns to defeat abortion rights measures at the ballot box. This year, they're taking a dramatically different approach.

A ballot measure would give local law enforcement the right to question, arrest, detain and prosecute anyone suspected of having crossed the U.S.-Mexico border between legal ports of entry.

Right-leaning states moved to make ballot measures tougher to pass after success of voter initiatives on abortion rights, marijuana and Medicaid expansion. That's led to pushback from state lawmakers.

Victories in several states this year have abortion rights advocates looking at where they can next take the fight directly to voters.

Kentucky has a similar measure on the ballot, and another is expected in Michigan. But even as advocates analyze the results, they warn that messaging that worked in Kansas may not work nationwide.