ELECTIONS, POLITICS, & GOVERNMENT

Ohio voters approve constitutional amendment guaranteeing abortion access

Nov 7, 2023, 7:13 PM | Updated: Nov 13, 2023, 11:56 am

Voters check-in at a polling location on November 7, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. 2023 Voters passed Ohi...

Voters check-in at a polling location on November 7, 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. 2023 Voters passed Ohio Issue 1, officially titled "The Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety," codifing reproductive rights in the Ohio Constitution, including contraception, fertility treatment and the right to abortion up to the point of fetal viability while permitting restrictions after. (Andrew Spear/Getty Images)

(Andrew Spear/Getty Images)

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio voters approved a constitutional amendment on Tuesday that ensures access to abortion and other forms of reproductive health care, the latest victory for abortion rights supporters since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year.

Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear reelected to second term in Kentucky

Ohio became the seventh state where voters decided to protect abortion access after the landmark ruling and was the only state to consider a statewide abortion rights question this year.

The outcome of the intense, off-year election could be a bellwether for 2024, when Democrats hope the issue will energize their voters and help President Joe Biden keep the White House. Voters in Arizona, Missouri and elsewhere are expected to vote on similar protections next year.

Ohio’s constitutional amendment, on the ballot as Issue 1, included some of the most protective language for abortion access of any statewide ballot initiative since the Supreme Court’s ruling. Opponents had argued that the amendment would threaten parental rights, allow unrestricted gender surgeries for minors and revive “partial birth” abortions, which are federally banned.

Public polling shows about two-thirds of Americans say abortion should generally be legal in the earliest stages of pregnancy, a sentiment that has been underscored in both Democratic and deeply Republican states since the justices overturned Roe in June 2022.

Before the Ohio vote, statewide initiatives in California, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Montana and Vermont had either affirmed abortion access or turned back attempts to undermine the right.

Voter turnout for Ohio’s constitutional amendment, including early voting, was robust for an off-year election. Issue 1’s approval will all but certainly undo a 2019 state law passed by Republicans that bans most abortions after fetal cardiac activity is detected, with no exceptions for rape and incest. That law, currently on hold because of court challenges, is one of roughly two dozen restrictions on abortion the Ohio Legislature has passed in recent years.

Issue 1 specifically declared an individual’s right to “make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions,” including birth control, fertility treatments, miscarriage and abortion.

It allowed the state to regulate the procedure after fetal viability, as long as exceptions were provided for cases in which a doctor determined the “life or health” of the woman was at risk. Viability was defined as the point when the fetus had “a significant likelihood of survival” outside the womb, with reasonable interventions.

Anti-abortion groups, with the help of Republican Gov. Mike DeWine, tested a variety of messages to try to defeat the amendment, primarily focusing on the idea that the proposal was too extreme for the state. The supporters’ campaign centered on a message of keeping government out of families’ private affairs.

The latest vote followed an August special election called by the Republican-controlled Legislature that was aimed at making future constitutional changes harder to pass by increasing the threshold from a simple majority vote to 60%. That proposal was aimed in part at undermining the abortion-rights measure decided Tuesday.

Voters overwhelmingly defeated that special election question, setting the stage for the high-stakes fall abortion campaign.
___
Associated Press writer Samantha Hendrickson in Reynoldsburg, Ohio, contributed to this report.

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

Elections, Politics, & Government

Kaysville City officials confirmed that the Weber Basin Water Conservancy District had added water ...

Simone Seikaly

Kaysville City tells residents why water smells like chlorine

Weber officials recently added water from groundwater wells, which, because of extra processing, created the chlorine smell.

7 hours ago

Jail overcrowding is addressed by one of the bills before lawmakers on Utah’s Capitol Hill right ...

Don Brinkerhoff

Legislation would prevent some jail releases due to overcrowding

A new bill would prevent some inmates from being released, without first seeing a judge, due to jail overcrowding.

8 hours ago

State Capitol...

Adam Small

New bill regarding specialty license plates could cost Utah Historical Society millions in future revenue

The Utah Historical Society could potentially miss out on millions of dollars under a bill focusing on specialty license plates.

10 hours ago

utah capitol. A local representative wants Utahns to know more about how their government works bef...

Michael Houck

Lawmaker wants to add American citizenship course to Utah schools

HB381 would require students to pass a course in American constitutional government and citizenship before receiving their high school diploma.

12 hours ago

labor union bill passes utah senate...

DANIEL WOODRUFF

No compromise: Utah Senate gives final approval to original version of labor union bill

The Utah Senate gave final approval Thursday to a controversial bill banning collective bargaining for public sector unions.

15 hours ago

The House on Fire ruins are pictured in the Shash Jaa Unit of Bears Ears National Monument in San J...

Amy Joi O'Donoghue, Deseret News

Interior secretary orders review of public lands withdrawals

Review of public lands withdrawals could mean a hard look at national monuments, including Utah’s Bears Ears and Grand Staircase

16 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Full speed through the snow. A man on skis is pulled by his through the snow at full gallop Skijori...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Get ready for an unforgettable skijoring adventure in Bear Lake!

“Skijoring the Bear” takes place this year on February 21-22 in Garden City, Utah.

the bedroom in a geodesic dome shows the night sky...

Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon

Your front row to an extraordinary cosmos show

As America's first glass dome stargazing resort, Clear Sky Resorts Bryce Canyon is one of the world’s most unique and spectacular places to stay.

2 people huddled up in a blanket and warm clothes sipping hot chocolate...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

The best ways to spend your Christmas vacation in Bear Lake

If you're dreaming of a white Christmas this year, Bear Lake should definitely be on your radar. Read this guide for more!

big crowd of people under holiday lights in an outdoor market...

Western Nut

Our favorite family Christmas activities in Utah

We gathered up a list of our favorite activities, movies, and treats to try this holiday season that the whole family can enjoy.

an IT tech looks at a laptop in front of a server network...

Comcast Business

Tips to protect yourself from phishing attacks

Check out this resource from Comcast Business to learn more about phishing attacks and how to protect yourself from becoming a victim of one.

A surprise gift, wrapped and ready to bring holiday cheer! Whether for Christmas, a birthday, or an...

Western Nut

10 Holiday Gift Ideas to cover everyone on your list

This guide is for you if you need holiday gift ideas that will make a lasting impression. 

Ohio voters approve constitutional amendment guaranteeing abortion access