Simone Lawson
On November 7, 2023, Ohio voters passed Issue 1, a constitutional amendment to protect abortion and reproductive rights. The amendment was brought about by a coalition of reproductive rights advocacy groups, including Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights and Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom. The amendment sought to prevent attempts by state and federal officials to regulate abortion through bans or limits, and it was passed with nearly 2.2 million voters out of more than 3.8 million who cast ballots, or 56.62% of the vote.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| State | Ohio |
| Amendment Name | Issue 1 |
| Amendment Purpose | To protect abortion and reproductive rights |
| Amendment Proposers | Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights, Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom, and other reproductive rights advocacy groups |
| Amendment Supporters | Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, Protect Women Ohio |
| Amendment Opponents | Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Concord Fund |
| Ballot Language | Approved by the Ohio Ballot Board, but summary language changed |
| Voter Turnout | Over 3.8 million ballots cast |
| Unofficial Result | 56.62% in favor, or nearly 2.2 million voters |
| Official Result | Pending certification and counting of provisional ballots |
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What You'll Learn
Ohio voters pass Issue 1
On November 7, 2023, Ohio voters passed Issue 1, a constitutional amendment to protect abortion and reproductive rights. The amendment passed with 56.62% of the vote, or nearly 2.2 million voters out of more than 3.8 million who cast ballots. This result will remain unofficial until provisional ballots are counted and the official results are certified.
The passage of Issue 1 is a significant development in the ongoing debate over abortion rights in the United States. Ohio has now joined a growing number of states that have taken steps to protect abortion rights at the state level, even as the federal legal landscape remains uncertain.
The amendment's passage was met with celebration by reproductive rights advocates, who had expressed concern about the potential impact of restrictions on abortion access. Elizabeth Chasteen Day, the organizing director for the ACLU of Ohio, remarked that the conservative leanings of the state did not deter voters from supporting Issue 1. She attributed the success to the determination of Ohioans, stating, "They like to say we're conservative, they like to count us out, but what we know about Ohioans is that you can't count us out."
Melinda Dobson, who canvassed in Cincinnati, echoed these sentiments and emphasized the importance of the issue for future generations. "I have a daughter, and I really want to make sure that she has more rights than we do, not less rights," she said. The election night watch party for Issue 1 saw hundreds of organizers, campaigners, and canvassers gather to celebrate the victory.
President Joe Biden also issued a statement following the passage of Issue 1, highlighting the rejection of extreme abortion bans by Ohio voters and voters across the country. He criticized attempts by "MAGA Republican elected officials" to endanger women's health and lives, force women to travel long distances for care, and criminalize medical professionals for providing essential healthcare services.
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Protecting abortion and reproductive rights
On November 7, 2023, Ohio voters passed Issue 1, a constitutional amendment to protect abortion and reproductive rights. The amendment was brought forward by reproductive rights advocacy groups, including Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights and Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom. The amendment seeks to prevent state and federal officials from regulating abortion through bans or limits.
The right to abortion has long been a contentious issue in the United States, with differing interpretations of the Constitution. While the word "abortion" is not explicitly mentioned in the Constitution, the Supreme Court case of Roe v. Wade in 1973 concluded that the Constitution protects a woman's decision to terminate her pregnancy. This decision was based on the right to privacy, which is implied in the Due Process Clause of the 14th Amendment. The Roe Court ruled that states could not categorically prohibit abortions by criminalizing them and that the right to privacy includes a woman's decision to carry a pregnancy to term.
However, in 2022, the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, ruling that there is no constitutional right to abortion. This marked the first time the Supreme Court had taken away a fundamental right. The Court's majority opinion stated that Roe v. Wade interpreted the constitutional text loosely and that the right to abortion is not mentioned in the Constitution. This decision has been criticized for undermining decades of jurisprudence about the meaning of liberty and reproductive autonomy.
The passage of Issue 1 in Ohio is part of a burgeoning trend in the country, with other Republican strongholds like Kentucky and Kansas also passing abortion rights measures by overwhelming numbers. The amendment received strong support from Ohio voters, with nearly 2.2 million people voting in favor of it. This citizen-led effort demonstrates a commitment to protecting abortion and reproductive rights in the state.
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Citizen-led efforts
Ohio citizens have actively advocated for Issue 1, recognizing the negative impact of gerrymandering on their state. Over 80 bipartisan business and thought leaders signed an open letter in support of the amendment, reflecting a broad range of citizens concerned about the issue. The Leadership Now Project, a group working to end gerrymandering in Ohio, has also been a driving force behind the citizen-led efforts. They argue that the amendment is necessary to restore power to Ohio citizens and take it away from self-serving politicians and their special interests.
The proposed amendment, if passed, would have established an Independent Citizen Commission for statehouse legislative and congressional redistricting. This commission would consist of 15 members, including Democrats, Republicans, and Independents, ensuring a diverse representation of the state's population. Four retired judges would serve on a screening panel to select the commission members, ensuring a fair and transparent process.
However, not all citizens supported Issue 1. Some opponents argued that creating an unelected, unaccountable commission would be detrimental to democracy, as it would take power away from the people. Additionally, there were concerns about low voter turnout for special elections, leading to fears that such significant changes could be enacted without a true mandate from the people of Ohio.
Despite the citizen-led efforts, Issue 1 was ultimately rejected by Ohio voters in November 2024. While the amendment failed to pass, the citizen-led initiative sparked important conversations about the role of citizens in the political process and the need for fair and transparent redistricting.
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Support for the amendment
The Issue 1 constitutional amendment in Ohio, which seeks to protect abortion and reproductive rights, has garnered significant support from various individuals and organizations. The amendment passed with 56.62% of the vote, or nearly 2.2 million voters out of more than 3.8 million who cast ballots. This result indicates a strong base of support for the amendment among Ohioans.
Nancy Kramer, co-chair of Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights, described the amendment effort as a "citizen-led" initiative that brought together a diverse and dynamic group of people. The amendment was also supported by other reproductive rights advocacy groups, such as Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights, Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom, and Pro-Choice Ohio. These groups worked to collect signatures in support of the amendment, submitting more than 400 boxes of signatures to the Ohio Secretary of State, with nearly 500,000 verified signatures.
The passage of Issue 1 in Ohio follows a trend in other states, such as Kentucky, Kansas, Michigan, California, and Vermont, which have also passed abortion rights measures. This indicates a growing support for reproductive rights across the country. Lauren Blauvelt, co-chair of Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights and executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio, celebrated the passage of Issue 1, stating that "abortion is a winning issue, and together we can do anything."
The amendment also received support from state Republicans, including Ohio's Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who backed a previous Issue 1 that would have changed the threshold to pass any amendment. Polling since the introduction of the amendment showed majority support for the measure, and early voting results further demonstrated this support, with Democratic areas of the state favoring not only the abortion amendment but also Issue 2, the initiated statute to legalize marijuana.
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Unofficial results
Ohio voters have delivered a decisive victory for Issue 1, according to unofficial results from the state. With 8,471 of 8,661 precincts reporting, the measure passed with a margin of 57% to 43%. The proposal will now become a part of the Ohio Constitution, as a constitutional amendment. Issue 1 sought to reform the way congressional and state legislative districts are drawn in Ohio, a process known as redistricting. The issue will amend the state constitution to establish a bipartisan process for congressional and legislative redistricting, with the aim of reducing partisan gerrymandering.
The campaign for Issue 1 was led by a group called Fair Districts = Fair Elections, which argued that the current system allows politicians to draw district maps that favor their own party and incumbency, resulting in unfair representation. The group gathered enough signatures to place the issue on the statewide ballot, and it appears their efforts have paid off with a significant victory. The new process established by Issue 1 will involve a seven-member Redistricting Commission, composed of elected officials and appointed citizens.
The Commission will be tasked with drawing district lines that are compact and contiguous, minimizing the splitting of communities of interest. The plan must also not unduly favor or disfavor any political party or incumbent, and will require support from at least two members of the minority party on the Commission. If the Commission fails to agree on a plan, the responsibility for redistricting will fall to the Ohio Supreme Court.
The passage of Issue 1 marks a significant change to the redistricting process in Ohio and is a clear indication that voters want to see fairer and more transparent district maps. The amendment is expected to have a substantial impact on the state's politics, potentially leading to more competitive elections and a legislature that better reflects the diversity of Ohio's population. While the unofficial results indicate a strong mandate for the reform, official certification of the election results will occur in the coming weeks.
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Frequently asked questions
Issue 1 is a constitutional amendment to protect abortion and reproductive rights in Ohio.
Issue 1 will enshrine abortion, contraception, fertility treatment, miscarriage care, and continuing one's own pregnancy.
The amendment passed with 56.62% of the vote, or nearly 2.2 million voters out of more than 3.8 million who cast ballots.
Issue 1 was supported by Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights, Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom, and other reproductive rights advocacy groups.
