Voters in Amarillo, Texas, overwhelmingly rejected a sweeping anti-abortion proposal that would have essentially imposed a travel ban on those seeking abortions out of state by allowing civil lawsuits against anyone who assists them, even if it’s in another state.

According to AP, dubbed the “Sanctuary Cities for the Unborn” ordinance, the 18-page proposition was rejected by nearly 60 per cent of voters.

Lindsay London, a local nurse who helped found a volunteer group opposing the effort, described the vote as a “defining win.”

“Amarillo is the first city in the nation to reject an abortion ban,” London said.

“We hope to set the tone for not only the state but the nation, that we will not penalise anyone for seeking health care when they’re facing an extreme travel ban in their own state.”

The vote was the culmination of a yearlong effort by abortion opponents who tried unsuccessfully to get city leaders to approve the ordinance.