TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) — Republican lawmakers in Kansas have failed to get a proposed anti-abortion amendment to the state constitution on the ballot.

The vote Friday in the Kansas House stalls efforts to ensure that the state's Bill of Rights does not secure a right to an abortion.

The vote was 80-43, leaving supporters four votes short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass the measure. But neither side expected it to be the last word on whether the proposed amendment ultimately is put to a vote in a statewide election.

Abortion opponents will likely try again.

Lawmakers are in session until early May.