Advocates for reproductive rights in Ohio have successfully collected enough valid signatures to propose a measure on abortion access to the state’s voters in November, according to the secretary of state.
In order to qualify, the measure’s supporters needed to gather signatures totaling at least 10% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial race, which amounts to 413,487. They exceeded this requirement by more than 80,000, confirmed Secretary of State Frank LaRose.
Voters will have the opportunity to decide on the proposed constitutional amendment enshrining abortion rights during the state’s general election on November 7.
Members of Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights, the group leading the amendment effort, celebrated this development on Tuesday.
“Every individual deserves respect, dignity, and the autonomy to make decisions regarding their reproductive health, including those related to pregnancy, miscarriage care, and abortion, without interference from the government,” stated Lauren Blauvelt and Dr. Lauren Beene, executive committee members of the campaign. “Now that the petition drive is complete, we are eager to continue the campaign to establish these rights in Ohio’s Constitution and ensure that Ohioans will never again face restrictive reproductive health care policies imposed by extremists.”
Currently, abortion is banned in Ohio after 22 weeks of pregnancy. In 2019, the state’s Republican Governor Mike DeWine signed a law banning abortions after six weeks, but this was temporarily blocked by a judge following a lawsuit from abortion rights activists. The Ohio Supreme Court has agreed to hear the case.
The success of similar abortion initiatives in other conservative states, such as Kansas and Kentucky, provides hope for those supporting the Ohio amendment. However, a new effort led by the GOP in Ohio aims to make it more difficult to pass constitutional amendments. Next month, voters will decide on a measure that seeks to raise the threshold for passing amendments from a simple majority to a 60% majority.
Achieving such a level of support for codifying abortion rights has proven challenging. Last year, Michigan, which leans Democratic, passed its amendment with 57% of the vote, and Kansas protected its amendment with 59% support.
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