By JULIE CARR SMYTH Associated Press, and staff
COLUMBUS — An abortion rights amendment has made Ohio’s November ballot, promising an expensive fight this fall.
Secretary of State Frank LaRose sent a letter to the coalition supporting the proposal informing them they had gathered 495,438 valid petition signatures from 55 of Ohio’s 88 counties, meeting the threshold for placing the measure on the ballot for the Nov. 7 general election.
The ballot measure would establish “a fundamental right to reproductive freedom” with “reasonable limits.”
In language similar to a constitutional amendment that Michigan voters approved last November, it would require restrictions imposed past a fetus’ viability outside the womb, which is typically around the 24th week of pregnancy and was the standard under Roe v. Wade, to be based on evidence of patient health and safety benefits.
Placing the issue on the ballot sets up what promises to be a volatile and expensive fight rife with emotional messaging and competing factual claims.
“Every person deserves respect, dignity, and the right to make reproductive health care decisions, including those related to their own pregnancy, miscarriage care, and abortion free from government interference,” Lauren Blauvelt and Dr. Lauren Beene, executive committee members for Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement.
“A June Gallup poll showed that more than 77% of Americans oppose elective abortions in the third trimester, and this proposed amendment would render Ohioans powerless to stop those procedures,” Greater Columbus Right to Life executive director Beth Vanderkooi said.
“The extreme amendment places parental rights on the chopping block by permitting minors to undergo abortions and sex change procedures without their parents’ knowledge or consent, removes health and safety protections for women, and allows painful abortion up until birth. PWO will continue to shine a light on the ACLU’s disastrous agenda until it is defeated in November,” Protect Women Ohio press secretary Amy Natoce wrote.
“Out-of-touch politicians are relentlessly attacking women’s fundamental rights, inserting themselves into women’s personal, medical decisions and laying the groundwork for a total abortion ban in Ohio. In the days and weeks ahead, we look forward to telling these corrupt politicians: we won’t go back,” Ohio Democratic Party chair Elizabeth Walters said.
August vote will impact November’s outcome
It remains to be seen what percentage of the Ohio electorate needs to support the amendment for it to pass. That will depend on the outcome of an Aug. 8 special election called by Statehouse Republicans to determine whether to raise the threshold for passing future constitutional changes from a simple majority in place since 1912 to a 60% supermajority. AP VoteCast polling last year found 59% of Ohio voters say abortion should generally be legal.
Abortion remains legal in the state up to 20 weeks’ gestation, under a judge’s order issued in a lawsuit challenging a ban once cardiac activity can be detected, or around six weeks into pregnancy. The Republican attorney general has asked the Ohio Supreme Court to overturn the stay.
Cannabis amendment falls short
LaRose informed the supporters of an amendment to legalize the use of marijuana and regulate it like alcohol they had failed to file the minimum number of valid signatures to qualify for the ballot.
LaRose informed the backers of the Act to Control and Regulate the Adult Use of Cannabis they have 10 days to gather the 679 valid signatures needed.
The ballot measure would allow adults 21 and over to buy and possess up to 2.5 ounces of cannabis and to grow plants at home. A 10% tax would support administrative costs, addiction treatment, municipalities with dispensaries and social equity and jobs programs.