In the upcoming summer special election in Ohio, there is a significant surge in early voter turnout. This surge is primarily driven by a measure introduced by Republicans, which aims to make it more challenging for Ohio voters to pass state constitutional amendments. One of the amendments on the November ballot that is likely to be affected is the one guaranteeing abortion rights. The high early turnout has resulted in some election offices struggling to keep up and seeking additional poll workers.
Despite the heat waves sweeping the Midwest and the rest of the country this summer, voters have been patiently waiting in long lines, sometimes for over an hour, at early polling places. Tom Simmons from Clintonville, just north of the capital, Columbus, expressed his intention to vote in favor of Issue 1 while standing in line on a sunny Thursday morning. Simmons believes that purely partisan politics should not dictate the fate of amendments and that a 60% threshold would encourage more bipartisanship on controversial topics.
Regine Johnson, the deputy director of the board of elections in Stark County, highlighted the unprecedented level of turnout, comparing it to gubernatorial-level turnout. However, the board is currently facing a shortage of about 100 volunteers, hindering its ability to be fully staffed.
This high early voter turnout echoes the trend seen in a few other states where voters have recently affirmed abortion rights after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. Issue 1, the focus of the Ohio election, was put on the ballot by the Republican-controlled Legislature in the spring. Although it does not directly address abortion, it erects several barriers for voters to pass amendments to the state constitution, including raising the threshold from a simple majority to 60%. If Issue 1 passes, it could potentially be detrimental to an amendment already on the November ballot that seeks to ensure the constitutional right to abortion.
The decision to hold a special election in the middle of the summer vacation season has been viewed by some as a cynical move, as August elections historically have low turnout. However, this time is different as more than 533,000 people have already voted since early voting began on July 11, almost double the final early voting figures from previous midterm primary elections in Ohio. The intense battle over abortion, with the looming constitutional amendment, has been the driving force behind the campaigns supporting and opposing Issue 1. Both sides have heavily invested in get-out-the-vote strategies.
Recent data from L2, a political firm tracking early voting, indicates that Democratic-leaning voters are turning out in higher numbers compared to Republican-leaning ones. Women, in particular, have shown higher turnout rates so far. Sheila Harrell from Westerville voted against Issue 1, influenced by the upcoming vote on abortion rights. Harrell believes that women should have the right to choose and that parents should not have to travel outside of Ohio for abortion care. Similarly, Sammi Cain from Worthington also voted “no” on Issue 1, considering it an attempt by Ohio’s political leaders to stifle voters’ voices and consolidate power.
The voter motivation and turnout seen in Ohio mirror what Kansas experienced last year when it became the first state after the Supreme Court ruling to vote on abortion rights. In that election, voters decisively affirmed abortion rights. The high-stakes nature of the Ohio election has put pressure on election officials, who had to scramble to train poll workers and find suitable polling locations within a tight 90-day timeframe. Despite the challenges, several county officials express readiness for the election due to early planning.
Overall, the early voter turnout in Ohio’s summer special election has exceeded expectations. Antone White, the director of Franklin County’s Board of Elections, predicts that the final overall turnout may surpass that of last year’s midterm election. The battle over abortion and the future of constitutional amendments in Ohio has mobilized voters, resulting in a highly motivated electorate.
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