Ohio Abortion Rights Amendment Makes It On The Ballot
Ohioans will be voting on abortion access this November as a proposed amendment to enshrine abortion protections in the state constitution has officially submitted enough valid signatures to make the November ballot, the Ohio Secretary of State's Office announced Tuesday.
The measure already has tremendous support receiving 709,786 signatures, almost double the required 413,487 to get an amendment on the ballot, and a recent USA TODAY poll found 58% of Ohioans support the measure to ensure access to reproductive care.
The amendment would ensure Ohioans have a right to make their own reproductive decisions, including contraception, fertility treatment, continuing a pregnancy, miscarriage treatment, and abortion.
The measure would establish a “fundamental right to reproductive freedom,” with “reasonable limits” similar to the standard once set under Roe v. Wade.
In a statement today Ohio Democratic Party Chairwoman Elizabeth Walter said “Today was an important victory for Ohio women, and Ohio Democrats were proud to play our part,” adding “Out-of-touch politicians are relentlessly attacking women’s fundamental rights, inserting themselves into women’s personal, medical decisions and laying the groundwork for a total abortion ban in Ohio.”
What’s Next?
Ahead of the November election, Ohio voters face another key vote on August 8th. This special election set by the Republican-controlled legislature will have voters decide whether to raise the threshold for amending the state constitution from the current simple majority of 50% to 60%. This was a strategic effort by the Republican legislature to make it more difficult for the abortion rights amendment to pass come November.
However recent polling found that just 27% of Ohioans are in favor of making it harder to pass amendments. Both these Ohio elections will prove consequential in the battle for democracy and abortion rights.
If you live in Ohio, know someone who does, or just want to join the fight please share this story and spread the word about the two upcoming elections in the Buckeye State.