The results of an Ohio referendum could have far-reaching consequences for abortion rights in the state ― and activists and donors on both sides of the issue are acting accordingly.
Ohioans head to the polls on Tuesday to cast their ballots in a special election over whether to raise the vote threshold needed to pass an amendment to the state’s constitution.
A “yes” vote on the Republican-backed ballot initiative, Issue 1, would change the rules to require a 60% majority for voters to pass an amendment to change the state’s constitution ― an increase from the current threshold, a simple majority of over 50%.
Issue 1 would also increase the petition requirements for getting such an amendment on the ballot in the first place.
The Issue 1 requirements are ultimately a proxy fight over abortion rights. Ohio Republicans pushed for the special election to pass Issue 1 in anticipation of a liberal-backed referendum, due to appear on the ballot in November, that would enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.
If successful, that November amendment would effectively invalidate any laws that bar abortion before the point of fetal viability, including a state law currently on the books that would prohibit abortion after six weeks of pregnancy. (In October, a county judge placed a hold on that law, arguing that it violates a right to abortion that is already implicit in the state constitution; abortion rights advocates seek to make the right explicit and thus more resistant...
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