Ohio voters will head to the polls on Tuesday to cast their votes on Issue 1, a ballot measure that could potentially impact abortion rights in the state. The measure aims to raise the threshold for changing the state constitution from a simple majority to 60 percent of voters. While the amendment itself is procedural, it has become politically charged ahead of a November ballot measure that would protect abortion rights in the state constitution. This upcoming election is seen as the latest battleground in the ongoing war over abortion rights, with both parties grappling with how to handle the issue leading up to the next presidential election.
Lauren Blauvelt, Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Advocacy at Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, expressed opposition to Issue 1, stating that it seeks to give special interests and corrupt politicians more power while taking away Ohioans’ right to vote and protect reproductive freedom. Proponents of abortion rights argue that the August 8 measure is intentionally designed to hinder the enshrinement of abortion rights. Conversely, supporters of the measure claim that it aims to limit the influence of special interests and lobbyists in amending the constitution, and presents an opportunity to prevent what they view as a “radical” abortion amendment.
Frank LaRose, Ohio Secretary of State and a vocal proponent of Issue 1, has stated that the measure is intended to protect the state constitution from abuse by special interests and out-of-state influence. However, his comments regarding the amendment being solely about preventing a “radical pro-abortion amendment” have stirred controversy. Despite this, LaRose remains committed to the measure as he runs for the Senate race in 2022. Additionally, Issue 1 would require petitions for possible amendments to receive signatures from all 88 counties in Ohio, instead of just half, and eliminate the 10-day grace period for gathering additional signatures if some are ruled invalid.
The battle over abortion rights in Ohio has intensified following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade last year. Governor Mike DeWine signed a bill in 2019 banning abortion after approximately six weeks of pregnancy, which eventually went into effect before being temporarily blocked in September. Planned Parenthood, along with other parties, filed a lawsuit to prevent the abortion ban from being implemented. Blauvelt noted that the case will likely be decided by the state’s Supreme Court, which has a conservative-leaning makeup, making it challenging for abortion rights proponents to win the case. To put the abortion measure on the November ballot, Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom gathered 700,000 signatures, surpassing the required number by approximately 300,000.
The November ballot measure would establish the “fundamental right to reproductive freedom” in Ohio, with reasonable limits, and ensure that individuals have the right to make their own reproductive decisions. Abortion rights activists believe that LaRose’s comments and the timing of Issue 1 suggest an attempt to sink the abortion measure in November. Conversely, proponents of raising the threshold argue that the state constitution should require more than a simple majority to prevent it from being easily influenced by outside interests.
Mark Weaver, a Republican strategist supporting Issue 1, believes that raising the threshold would necessitate bipartisan efforts to amend the constitution, rather than relying on a simple majority. Weaver pointed to a previous constitutional amendment in Ohio that legalized gambling, which narrowly passed with only 52 percent of the vote. He argued that this example highlighted the need for stricter requirements to prevent outside interests from imposing guaranteed profits through constitutional amendments.
Jeff Rusnak, an Ohio-based strategist supporting abortion rights, disagrees with Weaver’s perspective and thinks that raising the threshold is an effort by special interests to make it more difficult to change the constitution. He noted that the supporters of Issue 1 are “fabricating” an issue that doesn’t exist, as constitutional amendments in Ohio are already rare and passing them is challenging. Furthermore, Rusnak believes that Issue 1 opponents are aware of the lack of clear consensus on the proposed abortion rights measure, which is why they oppose the current ballot measure.
Although special elections typically have lower turnout, both sides expect higher-than-normal participation due to the attention surrounding Issue 1. Weaver attributes this increased interest to the criticism leveled against the measure by the “corporate media.” Blauvelt and Rusnak have observed a surge in early voting, particularly in urban and suburban areas, suggesting a significant level of attention and engagement with the issue.
In conclusion, Ohio’s upcoming election on Issue 1 has become a significant battle for abortion rights in the state. The measure aims to raise the threshold for changing the state constitution, provoking intense debate between proponents and opponents. With higher-than-usual interest and participation expected, the outcome of this election will have implications for the future of abortion rights in Ohio.
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