In August, Ohio voters rejected a Republican-backed ballot measure, Issue 1, which would have made it harder to protect abortion rights. Now, Issue 1 will be on the ballot again in November, but this time voting for it would enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution. There is concern among groups working to expand abortion rights in Ohio that voters may be confused about how to accurately cast their ballots. In response, these groups have intensified door-knocking and phone-banking efforts to educate voters on the importance of voting “yes” on Issue 1.
Reproductive rights groups see the labeling of the ballot measures as a deliberate tactic to create confusion and disadvantage their side. They accuse Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose, an abortion opponent, of using his office to make it harder for pro-abortion rights voters to know which way to vote. LaRose’s office explains that the issue numbering is determined by state law, with the numbering restarting at “Issue 1” after every election. While the confusion may be a result of this law, abortion-rights groups argue that the decision to label the issues was strategic.
The fight to expand abortion rights in Ohio has faced several challenges in the past months, including a victory for the state’s GOP-controlled Ballot Board, which maintained the use of the term “unborn child” in the language of the November ballot measure. Abortion-rights groups claimed that this language was designed to mislead voters. The proposed November amendment aims to counteract Ohio’s “heartbeat bill,” which bans most abortions but remains temporarily blocked by a state judge. With the case now before the state Supreme Court, there is a possibility that the ban could take effect ahead of the November vote. Despite previous wins, reproductive rights groups are not taking voter support for granted and are focused on maximizing voter turnout.
Overall, the upcoming November election in Ohio will determine whether abortion rights are enshrined in the state constitution. Both sides of the abortion debate are actively campaigning and working to address potential voter confusion created by the labeling of the ballot measures. The outcome of the election will have significant implications for reproductive rights in Ohio and could set a precedent for other states with similar issues on the horizon.
