The fight for abortion rights in Ohio is bringing voters to the polls early, The Hill reports.
A proposed constitutional amendment in set to hit ballots in early November that may place abortion protections in the state’s constitution. Rallies have been held from both supporting and opposing groups allied with political leaders and celebrities to help push the issue.
Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio (D-OH) said, “The poll that I’m the most interested in is the one that happens in the ballot box all the way up through Nov. 7.” Sen. Sherrod Brown
(D-OH), who is up for reelection in 2024, posted a video to Twitter in support of the issue.“Connie [Brown’s wife] checked my voting record on reproductive rights when we started dating 20 years ago—thankfully I passed her test,” Brown said. “This November, we’ll both be voting YES on Issue One.”
In the state of Ohio, abortion is legal for up to 22 weeks. Initially, a six-week ban was on the table, but it is currently on hold while a decision is made by the state’s Supreme Court, under a conservative majority. Eyes have been on the state to see if Democrats can pass abortion protections in a red state.
The Buckeye state was under the microscope when the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade after a 10-year-old rape victim was forced to travel out of Ohio to get an abortion.
The early voting turnout, which started Oct.11, has been high. The Columbus Dispatch
reported data from Ohio’s secretary of state citing over 200,000 residents voted early in person by Oct. 24. Almost 110,000 people mailed absentee ballots. It’s a step up from August’s special election which resulted in 192,000 in-person votes and 93,000 mailed ballots.“This isn’t your typical Republican-Democrat, liberal-conservative, pro-life-pro-choice debate that’s happening,” said Nancy Natoce , press secretary for Protect Woman Ohio, said. “Issue 1 would cement within our Constitution the most radical abortion regime in this country.”
Ohio is matching the
energy of other states like Kansas. According to NPR, Kansas voters voted to keep abortion legal by rejecting a proposed state constitutional amendment in August 2023 that would have banned the procedure in the state.RELATED CONTENT: Fight Over Texas Anti-Abortion Transport Reaches Biggest Battlegrounds