Ohio Voters Approve Constitutional Amendment to Protect Abortion Rights in Historic Referendum

Story by: fdaytalk

Ohio voted to amend its constitution to enshrine abortion rights, marking a significant political victory for abortion-rights supporters.

This comes in the wake of the Supreme Court's decision to strike down Roe v. Wade, which occurred nearly 17 months prior.

This success is seen as a boost to the Democrats' hopes of making abortion rights a prominent issue in the 2024 elections.

Ohio's Amendment 1 is the 7th successful ballot measure designed to protect abortion rights since the Supreme Court's decision to rescind nationwide abortion rights.

Ohio's Amendment 1 was a novel challenge for abortion rights supporters, as the first Republican-led state to explore a constitutional amendment securing the right to abortion.

The approval of the ballot measure is seen as a win for abortion-rights advocates, even in a state that Donald Trump carried by an 8-point margin in two elections.

Since the overturning of Roe v. Wade, ballot measures supporting abortion rights have succeeded in various elections, including conservative states like Kentucky and Kansas.

Opponents of the amendment argued that it could allow late-term abortions, currently, abortion is legal in Ohio until 22 weeks of pregnancy.

The amendment adds abortion access protections and establishes an individual right to reproductive medical treatment in Ohio's constitution, covering abortion, contraception, and miscarriage care.