By Joseph Ax
SPRINGFIELD, Ohio (Reuters) – Ohio’s upcoming vote on abortion rights could have widespread implications beyond the state, according to Peter Range, CEO of Ohio Right to Life. In a recent speech at a hog roast fundraiser for the Clark County Republican Party, Range warned that if abortion rights groups win in Ohio, they will use it as a model to push their agenda across the country.
After suffering defeats in several Republican states in 2022, the anti-abortion movement is placing its focus on Ohio as a critical battleground for testing their messaging and mobilization strategies leading up to the 2024 elections. This has prompted the emergence of abortion-related ballot initiatives in nearly a dozen states, including key presidential swing states like Arizona and Florida.
Virginia’s legislative elections next week will also revolve around abortion, as Republicans have pledged to implement a 15-week limit if they gain a majority in the statehouse.
The ballot question in Ohio, known as Issue 1, asks voters to decide whether abortion rights should be protected in the state constitution, which would nullify a six-week limit approved by Republican Governor Mike DeWine. Currently, the six-week limit is on hold as it undergoes legal battles in the conservative state Supreme Court.
The coalition supporting the amendment, Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights, has raised nearly $40 million since February, compared to just under $27 million raised by the coalition opposing the referendum, Protect Women Ohio.
The influx of money, largely from out-of-state donors, has fueled an extensive investment in television ads, with more than $34 million committed so far, according to AdImpact.
But the battle is not limited to television screens. It is being fought door-to-door across Ohio, from urban centers like Cleveland to rural areas.
Members of the Ohio Women’s Alliance, a Black-led reproductive justice organization, were recently seen canvassing a neighborhood in northeastern Columbus, encouraging residents to support the amendment.
Some residents, like IT administrator Takerr Lowery, are in favor of the amendment, motivated by the desire to protect rights for their daughters. Others, like billing analyst Tracy Austin, are angered by the notion of male lawmakers deciding what women can do with their bodies.
For Rhiannon Carnes, co-founder of the Ohio Women’s Alliance, the support of Black Ohioans is crucial for the amendment’s success. She believes this is the best opportunity to fight back against restrictive abortion measures.
However, not everyone is supportive. One woman expressed her opposition to a canvasser through a screened window, citing her belief that abortion is murder.
The anti-abortion campaign has also reached out to the Black community through churches. In October, over 100 Black pastors signed an open letter urging their congregants to vote against Issue 1, highlighting the fact that Black women account for nearly half of all statewide abortions.
Organizers of the “no” campaign argue that there are significant differences between this upcoming Ohio vote and previous unsuccessful attempts in 2022. They point to the visibility of Governor DeWine, who easily defeated a Democratic opponent last year despite her focus on protecting abortion access. Moreover, the “no” campaign has had more time to raise funds, air commercials, and build a strong field operation compared to the anti-abortion groups after the Supreme Court ruling in 2022.
The anti-abortion coalition has targeted independent and even Democratic voters by portraying the amendment as extreme. By claiming that the wording of Issue 1 could allow minors to obtain abortions without parental consent and permit abortions on demand at any stage of pregnancy, they aim to mobilize voters on both sides of the abortion debate.
Abortion rights supporters argue that these claims are inaccurate. Legal experts have stated that the amendment’s language does not override the requirement for minors to obtain parental consent. The ballot question also allows the state to restrict abortions beyond the point of fetal viability, except when necessary for the mother’s health. Such abortions are rare, accounting for less than 1% of Ohio abortions in 2022.
Abortion rights activists warn that rejecting the amendment would result in a near-total ban on abortions. However, opponents find this argument deceptive, as abortion remains legal in Ohio up to 22 weeks, pending a decision by the state Supreme Court on the six-week limit.
Abortion has proven to be a winning issue when put on the ballot nationwide, according to Rhiannon Carnes. She emphasizes the need to win in November to prevent the erosion of reproductive rights.
(Reporting by Joseph Ax; Editing by Colleen Jenkins and Aurora Ellis)
