Cincinnati, Ohio – Students from the University of Cincinnati are advocating against an upcoming Ohio amendment that would potentially restrict abortion rights in the state. Using signs that read “Late-Term Abortion is on the Ballot,” the members of “Students for Life” took a moderate approach when discussing the issue with fellow students.
During discussions, the students emphasized that the vote is not about being pro-life or pro-choice, but rather about deciding whether the proposed amendment is too extreme. This amendment, which will be voted on in November, has already seen a significant amount of funding and campaigning, with both sides spending over $40 million on television advertisements and other expenses.
Currently, abortion is legal in Ohio up until 22 weeks, although there was a brief period last year when a six-week ban was in effect. These restrictions caused a decrease in the number of abortions performed in the state and forced some patients to seek care elsewhere. Advocates for reproductive rights have had success in other states, with voters supporting abortion rights in Kansas, Kentucky, and other traditionally conservative states.
Proponents of the amendment are hoping to appeal to centrist voters, known as the “mushy middle,” to gain support. They argue that the ballot language is too extreme, even for those who identify as pro-choice. Opponents of the amendment, including Lauren Beene, a pediatrician who heads Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights, believe that these claims downplay the reality of the proposed ban and the potential medical crisis that could result from it.
The November amendment, known as Issue 1, would make it a constitutional right to make reproductive decisions in Ohio, including abortion, contraception, and fertility treatment. It would also allow the state to restrict abortions after the fetus reaches viability, with exceptions for cases where the pregnant person’s life or health is at risk.
Conservative groups have faced criticism for their handling of the failed August amendment that aimed to make it harder to amend the state constitution. Republican leaders were accused of not publicly supporting the measure, which resulted in a loss of money and support for the November race. However, recent support from key Republican figures, including Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine, has energized the movement.
DeWine and other opponents of the amendment argue that it could endanger parental rights and could be broadly interpreted to allow for nonmedical abortions after viability. Legal scholars dismiss these claims, stating that parental rights have consistently been retained by the courts. Some opponents of the amendment have even falsely alleged that it would allow minors to obtain gender reassignment surgeries without parental consent.
While Ohio has become increasingly conservative in recent years, advocates for reproductive rights believe that the rollbacks of federal protections have galvanized even many Republicans to support abortion rights. The August amendment was defeated even in counties that had voted for President Trump in the 2016 election.
Moving forward, both sides agree that their messaging needs improvement. Anti-abortion groups need to find a balance between fighting for restrictive bans and compromising to gain more support. Jason Yates, CEO of My Faith Votes, a Christian voter mobilization group, believes that the battle for abortion rights is far from over. He emphasizes that attention needs to be paid to what is happening at the state level, as many restrictive laws are being passed. Governor DeWine has also suggested revisiting the six-week ban that he signed, which does not currently allow exceptions for cases of rape or incest.
