Reproductive rights advocates in Ohio have filed a lawsuit against the state’s Ballot Board for approving misleading and inaccurate language on a ballot measure regarding abortion rights. The lawsuit, brought by Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights, accuses the board of exploiting their authority to undermine a measure they oppose. It points out that several board members, who voted in favor of the approved ballot language, have publicly expressed their opposition to the amendment.
The lawsuit argues that the board’s decision to rewrite the original amendment text resulted in a longer word count, contradicting their claim of condensing the language. Furthermore, the approved text includes language commonly used by the anti-abortion movement, substituting the medically correct term “fetus” with the emotionally charged phrase “unborn child.” This tactic aims to manipulate public opinion and discourage support for reproductive rights.
The lawsuit also highlights that the approved text fails to provide essential information about the proposed amendment, limiting its scope to only abortion. In reality, the amendment seeks to protect five categories of personal reproductive decisions, including contraception, fertility treatment, continuing a pregnancy, miscarriage care, and abortion.
The plaintiffs are seeking a court order to reconvene the board and either adopt the original amendment language or use language that accurately describes the amendment on the ballot. Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican and the board’s chair who drafted the approved text, is named in the lawsuit alongside other board members.
Despite the board’s decision, recent polling indicates that a majority of Ohioans support enshrining abortion rights and other reproductive options in the state constitution. The proposed amendment has the backing of 58% of likely voters, according to a poll conducted by the USA Today network and Suffolk University. With this level of support, the amendment is likely to pass when it goes to voters on November 7.
It is worth noting that constitutional amendments protecting reproductive rights have been successful in other states. In the previous fall, voters in five states, including both red and blue-leaning states, voted to protect abortion access.
In conclusion, reproductive rights advocates in Ohio are taking legal action against the state’s Ballot Board for approving misleading language on a ballot measure. The lawsuit aims to ensure that the original amendment language or accurate descriptions are used in the ballot. Despite opposition, polls suggest that the majority of Ohioans support the rights to abortion and other reproductive options.
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