Ohioans vote to pass pro-choice amendment

Ohioans voted to pass Issue 1 and preserve abortion rights by amending the Ohio Constitution just months after the failed Republican-led attempt to make it harder to do so in August’s special election.

The ballot issue proposed a constitutional amendment to protect the right of an individual’s choice to reproductive care, such as ensuring access to contraceptives, miscarriage care, fertility treatment and abortion except in cases of fetal viability, which typically occurs after 24 weeks of pregnancy.

The Associated Press called the election with about a56% approval, exceeding the majority vote needed to pass. The latest tally from The New York Times reportedly counted 3.8 million votes so far with an estimated difference of 511,000 votes.

After the overturning of Roe v. Wade in 2022, many states took the opportunity to significantly restrict or ban abortions. Subsequently, this factored into fear by members of both parties who felt their reproductive rights were being threatened by the government.

“We’re supposedly living in a free country, and people should have the right to do and choose what’s right for them without the government interference,” said Kent resident Karen Elmo.

The biggest concerns for pro-choice voters included preserving the right to one’s own bodily autonomy and ensuring safety measures for close relatives, especially after the case of a 10-year-old girl from Ohio who had to cross state lines in order to receive an abortion due to rape.

“I have a daughter, I want her to have rights,” said Kent resident Carlee Richards. “Some white man in government shouldn’t be able to take that away from us,” she said.

Still, many Ohio counties showed conservative results. The main concerns from pro-life voters came down to details perceived in the text, including the enabling of late-term abortions and a threat on parental rights.

Of those who opposed the constitutional amendment included Republican Party members Attorney General Dave Yost, who wrote a piece detailing his interpretation of Issue 1, and Gov. Mike DeWine.

“Whether you’re pro-life or pro-choice, Issue 1 is just not right for Ohio,” said DeWine in an oppositional ad campaign.

DeWine signed the active “heartbeat” law in 2019, which criminalizes abortions after the sixth week of pregnancy or until “cardiac” activity is detected and offers no exceptions in cases of rape or incest.

The approval of Issue 1 counteracts the law, which is widely disapproved by Democratic Party members.

“It’s unfair for a minority government… to force legislation on Ohioans that isn’t favored by the majority of the population of citizens,” said Kent State professor Jo Leigh Lyons.

This message was echoed by many Ohio voters who expressed their belief that the choice to have an abortion should be between an individual and their doctor, not the government.

“I support that everyone has the right to choose what they want to do, what they feel most comfortable doing,” said Kent State Ph.D. student Tatiana Fernandez.

The amendment will take effect 30 days after Election Day, making the Republican-led state one of seven states to adopt pro-choice legislation.