‘Historic Night’ — Ohio Voters Enshrine Abortion Rights in State Constitution

'We did it! Ohio is a Pro-choice State!'

Latest

Pro abortion rights advocate exposes dark money in fight

An abortion rights advocate discuses the dark money network that spent $18 million trying to block the ballot measure (that won) to enshrine abortion rights in Ohio’s constitution. See video at https://youtube.com/shorts/OX_xXFGSSXY?si=rXxDFgwERgrp4IGx

‘Today, the people of Ohio voted to restore their reproductive rights and reclaim their freedom to make their most personal decisions. They rejected the disinformation and fear and voted instead to ensure that every Ohioan will have access to the health care they need,” Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights said.

Ohio voters on Tuesday delivered a resounding win for reproductive freedom by approving a citizen-sponsored measure to enshrine abortion rights in the state’s constitution, overcoming Republican-led efforts to derail the initiative with misinformation and undemocratic procedural changes.

Ohioans approved Issue 1 by a decisive 56.6% to 43.4% margin, creating the constitutional right to “make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions,” including contraception, abortion, fertility treatment, and miscarriage care.

The measure states that while “abortion may be prohibited after fetal viability,” it establishes that “in no case may such an abortion be prohibited if in the professional judgment of the pregnant patient’s treating physician it is necessary to protect the pregnant patient’s life or health.”

The passage of the constitutional amendment likely spells an end to the prolonged legal fight over a six-week abortion ban that Ohio’s GOP-controlled Legislature approved in 2019. The ban was blocked in court, but Ohio’s Republican attorney general moved to revive the law after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year.

While the case is currently before the Ohio Supreme Court, the passage of Issue 1 means the draconian six-week ban would violate the state’s constitution.

“Today, the people of Ohio voted to restore their reproductive rights and reclaim their freedom to make their most personal decisions. They rejected the disinformation and fear and voted instead to ensure that every Ohioan will have access to the health care they need,” Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights said in response to Tuesday’s vote.

“We know Ohioans overwhelmingly support reproductive freedom and abortion rights—and we know the majority of Americans support it, too. This victory should serve as a clear warning to other extremists who want to pass dangerous abortion bans across the country,” the coalition added. “Tonight is a historic night for Ohio. We voted to secure our constitutional right to control our private healthcare decisions and make sure that all Ohioans have access to abortion care—no matter who is in public office.”

Issue 1’s passage was one of several election night victories for abortion rights advocates.

In the red state of Kentucky, voters reelected Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear, defeating a Republican challenger who backed the state’s near-total abortion ban.

Virginia voters, meanwhile, kept Democrats in control of the state Senate and ended GOP control of the House after a campaign focused heavily on abortion rights. The state’s Republicans, led by Gov. Glenn Youngkin, have proposed banning abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy.

Nancy Northup, president of the Center for Reproductive Rights, said in a statement that “voters across the U.S. are stepping up to protect the rights the Supreme Court dismantled.”

“Since the Supreme Court’s reversal of Roe v. Wade, every time voters have been able to weigh in, they’ve voted in favor of protection of abortion rights,” said Northup. “This victory in Ohio could not have happened without the grassroots organizers on the ground, who fought tirelessly against the anti-abortion movement’s misinformation campaign.”

Editor’s note: This article was first published in Common Dreams at https://www.commondreams.org/news/ohio-abortion-rights/ Common Dream’s work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.

+ Articles by this author

Jake Johnson is a senior editor and staff writer for Common Dreams.
@johnsonjakep •jake@commondreams.org

Free to republish but please credit the People's Tribune. Visit us at www.peoplestribune.org, email peoplestribune@gmail.com, or call 773-486-3551.

The People’s Tribune brings you articles written by individuals or organizations, along with our own reporting. Bylined articles reflect the views of the authors. Unsigned articles reflect the views of the editorial board. Please credit the source when sharing: ©2024 peoplestribune.org. Please donate to help us keep bringing you voices of the movement. Click here. We’re all volunteer, no paid staff.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Featured

Undocumented Families Are Fighting for Our Future. Will You Join Us?

'As an undocumented mother, I can’t help but worry for my son’s safety first. As an organizer, my worry turns to resolve.'

Fighting for Climate, Students Walk Out Over Trump

"[The student nationwide] walkouts represent a call to action for both parties," said Sunrise Youth Movement, a group that advocates for political action on climate change.

‘Organize Like Our Lives Depend On It Because They Do’

'There are no winners here, because we are all bound by our nation’s refusal to confront its own soul. This fight is not over; it’s only beginning,' says Director of Los Angeles Skid Row organization, LA CAN.

Where Do We Go From Here: It Does Matter

Those of us who have a history of being on the front lines knew this moment was coming and we’re telling ourselves it is not the time to fatigue out! We know either way it lands, that it’s in our laps and we need all boots on the ground.

Pregnant Teen Died: Seeks Care in Three Texas Emergency Rooms

Nevaeh Crain cried in pain, too weak to walk, blood staining her thighs. Vomiting and feverish at her baby shower, the teen went to two different emergency rooms, returning home, worse than before. Pregnant women have become untouchables.

More from the People's Tribune