Ohio activists got the signatures needed to get an abortion access amendment to the ballot box. This was confirmed by Secretary of State Frank LaRose (R), who certified that elections will occur in November. However, in what was considered a clever move, state Republicans scheduled another vote for August, which could make it difficult to pass the aforementioned amendment.
LaRose, who also happens to be a favorite in the 2024 Senate election, noted that 496,000 valid signatures were achieved to secure the abortion vote, well over the 413,446 required.
According to a USA TODAY Network/Suffolk University survey conducted among Ohio voters, 58% would favor an amendment to endorse abortion access. In addition, 32% were against it, and the remaining 10% have not yet decided.
The poll also found that more than one-third of Republicans surveyed would welcome the amendment, as would 81 percent of Democrats, 85 percent of independent women, 70 percent of young voters and nearly 70 percent of independent voters.
"Today was an important victory for Ohio women, and Ohio Democrats are proud to play our part," celebrated Ohio Democratic Party Chair Elizabeth Walters.
"Disconnected politicians are relentlessly attacking women's fundamental rights, interfering in women's personal medical decisions and laying the groundwork for a total ban on abortion in Ohio," he added.
The Republicans' ace up their sleeve
To the chagrin of those who want to see abortion access in Ohio's constitution, state Republicans created a special election, the outcome of which will be critical to the chances of the amendment that garnered nearly half a million signatures.
They added a vote for Aug. 8, where voters will have to vote on Issue 1. What is this all about? Issue 1 would create a constitutional amendment that would make it difficult for future amendments to pass, establishing a 60% vote threshold for passage. In other words, until now, an amendment must get half plus one of the votes to enter the Ohio constitution. In the event that Issue 1 is approved, it must achieve 60% of the votes, thus making its approval difficult.
In 2022, both Kansas and Kentucky voted in favor of abortion access, so Ohio activists saw a tailwind to replicate the results in their state.
In response, pro-life advocates in the Buckeye State called on citizens to vote in favor of Issue 1 to "ensure that our Constitution, our unborn babies and our families are protected."
