By JULIE CARR SMYTH, Associated Press
COLUMBUS (AP) — The Ohio Ballot Board has approved language for a fall abortion measure that Democrats and the issue’s backers are criticizing as inaccurate.
Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights is considering litigation. –
Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose, an abortion opponent, developed the language.
The original summary language seeks to assure access to abortion through what is called viability, when the fetus is able to survive outside the womb. It stated, “abortion may be prohibited after fetal viability,” but not in cases where a treating physician deems the procedure necessary to protect the life or health of the pregnant person.
LaRose’s summary turned that section on its head. It now says the amendment would “always allow an unborn child to be aborted at any stage of pregnancy, regardless of viability if, in the treating physician’s determination” the life and health exception applies.
It changes the word “fetus” to “unborn child,” and suggests that the amendment would prohibit citizens from limiting abortion access when it would actually limit the government from doing so.
Ohio Right to Life’s president said he likes the language. The abortion measure will be November’s Issue 1.
A proposal to legalize recreational marijuana will be Issue 2.