A proposed constitutional change before Ohio voters could determine abortion rights in the state

A special election held in Ohio on a rushed schedule has significant implications for abortion rights in the state and could have broader national political repercussions leading up to 2024. The central focus of this election is Issue 1, a proposal aimed at increasing the required majority for passing changes to Ohio’s constitution from a simple majority to 60%. However, the supporters of this proposal, including Republican officials, are particularly concerned with a separate constitutional amendment that is scheduled for the November ballot. This amendment seeks to ensure access to reproductive healthcare is protected within the foundational document of the state.

During the early voting period, there was a substantial turnout, with nearly 700,000 advance ballots cast, which is more than double the turnout seen in the state’s previous midterm primary elections in 2022 and 2018. Ohio’s August elections have historically struggled with low voter turnout, often focusing on local issues.

Issue 1’s backers, primarily Republican lawmakers, claim that their intent is not to hinder the upcoming abortion amendment vote. Still, critics suspect that raising the bar for passing citizen-driven constitutional amendments could significantly impede the success of the abortion amendment. Polling suggests that the abortion amendment might struggle to secure the necessary 60% approval, even though voters in some conservative-leaning states have supported abortion rights.

Out-of-state funding has poured into both sides of the debate over the 60% threshold, with both proponents and opponents emphasizing their desire to prevent special interest groups from exerting undue influence over state policies.

While various arguments have been made for and against Issue 1, abortion rights stand at the core of the dispute. States like Ohio have gained control over their abortion policies following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Ohio’s ban on most abortions had been suspended under Roe, then briefly reinstated after its overturning, and once again frozen during legal challenges alleging its conflict with the state constitution.

The abortion amendment at the heart of this issue aims to grant individuals the authority to make decisions about their reproductive health, encompassing contraception, fertility treatments, abortion, and miscarriage care, until the fetus is viable outside the womb.

However, there is a bipartisan coalition that opposes Issue 1 on broader grounds. Former governors and attorneys general from both parties argue that this constitutional change would undermine 111 years of direct democracy and could impact future citizen-led ballot initiatives.

The campaign against the fall abortion amendment, known as Protect Women Ohio, has invested significant resources in the August election. They have run ads suggesting that the abortion measure not only enshrines abortion rights but could also affect gender-affirming care for children and parental rights. Although legal experts have pointed out that these claims lack basis in the amendment’s language, misinformation and fear-based tactics have been prominent in this election cycle.

Opponents of Issue 1 have launched their own campaign, involving various groups such as voting rights organizations, labor unions, faith groups, community organizations, and the state’s Democratic Party.

The debate over the August special election itself has been fueled by concerns over low voter turnout, leading to questions about whether it was reinstated to specifically thwart abortion rights for Ohio residents.

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More about Abortion Rights

• Ohio special election
• Issue 1 proposal
• Reproductive care constitutional amendment
• Voter turnout data
• Arguments for and against Issue 1
• Out-of-state funding impact
• Protect Women Ohio campaign
• Misinformation in special election
• Bipartisan coalition stance
• Abortion amendment details