Ohio Republicans’ attempt to weaken abortion activists before November could have unintended consequences.
Ohio Republicans' attempt to weaken abortion activists before November could have unintended consequences.
Ohio Republicans’ Battle over Abortion Rights: A Look into an Unplanned Election
Ohioans find themselves energized and determined as they participate in an election that was never supposed to happen. This election serves as a reflection of how conservatives are still grappling to respond to a public that remains deeply incensed over the Supreme Court’s decision to gut nationwide abortion rights. Scheduled for August, this election has become a significant data point demonstrating the ongoing struggle within conservative circles.
The purpose behind setting the August election was to get ahead of an expected November vote that posed a threat to enshrining abortion access in the Ohio constitution. Currently, constitutional amendments in Ohio require a simple majority to pass. However, the Republican-controlled legislature seeks to raise the threshold to 60% and impose additional restrictions that would make it harder for future advocates to put forward proposed amendments. For instance, they aim to eliminate the 10-day period that allows petitioners more time if signatures are invalidated.
Questions regarding outside interests have dominated the debate surrounding this issue. Ohio Republicans who support the measure argue that a higher threshold is needed to ensure that future amendments align with the desires of Ohioans. US Sen. JD Vance commented on this, stating that campaigns funded by out-of-state interests take advantage of off-cycle elections to change the Ohio constitution. They are aware that fewer people vote during midterm elections, which has resulted in various changes in the state in recent years.
While some proponents avoid explicitly framing the election as being about abortion, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican himself, emphatically stated that the special election is “100%” about abortion. State Representative Brian Stewart, a Republican, defended the election, insisting that it is merely an opportunity for Ohioans to vote on a 60% threshold in a free and fair election. He believes that those who view it as an attack on democracy are disconnected from reality.
Illinois billionaire Richard Uihlein, one of the largest GOP megadonors in the nation, is one of the leading advocates for the August vote. He has donated at least $4 million to a group running ads urging support for the new threshold. On the other side of the debate, opponents of raising the threshold have also taken to the airwaves. They released ads portraying an old Republican lawmaker attempting to intervene in a couple’s personal life, ultimately urging voters to “keep Republicans out of your bedroom.”
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It is worth noting that Ohio Republicans previously banned most August elections, citing limited voter turnout and high costs. However, this election is expected to shatter turnout records, as early voting witnessed long lines in some of the state’s largest counties. The contentious nature of the issue has undoubtedly increased public interest and engagement.
The current legal framework in Ohio allows abortion up to 22 weeks of pregnancy, although a more restrictive ban has been temporarily halted. Governor Mike DeWine, a Republican, previously signed a “heartbeat bill” into law, which would effectively ban almost all abortions after six weeks of pregnancy, without exceptions for rape or incest. The law has been stayed pending legal challenges.
The proposed amendment scheduled for the November vote aims to establish a constitutionally-protected right to abortion access in Ohio. It allows for restrictions after fetal viability, approximately 24 weeks of pregnancy. Fetal viability has been the prevailing standard since the landmark Roe v. Wade decision until the Supreme Court’s ruling in Dobbs v. Jackson in 2022, which severely limited abortion rights nationwide.
The Ohio battle over abortion touches upon a broader debate that conservatives are still grappling with nationally. The 2022 midterm elections highlighted voters’ anger towards the Supreme Court’s decision, leading to a split within the GOP presidential primary candidates between those who support a bare-minimum nationwide abortion ban and those who do not. Even former President Donald Trump has refrained from explicitly endorsing a nationwide ban. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who signed a law effectively banning most abortions in his state after six weeks, has also avoided supporting a nationwide ban.
Polling indicates that a nationwide ban on abortion is broadly unpopular. However, the nomination contest provides an opportunity for anti-abortion activists to exert pressure on candidates to take a stance on the issue. When asked to vote on abortion-related matters, voters have consistently sided with abortion rights advocates in recent years, as seen in states like Kansas and Kentucky.
Previous polling in Ohio revealed that 58% of Ohioans would support the upcoming November amendment, indicating potential concerns given the proposed 60% threshold. However, the same survey found that 57% oppose raising the threshold altogether, highlighting the complexity and diversity of opinions within the state on this matter.
The August election in Ohio serves as a battleground for Republicans as they grapple with how to address the issue of abortion effectively. It reflects the broader national struggle within the conservative movement as they attempt to navigate the public’s changing views on this highly contentious topic. The outcome of this election will undoubtedly have significant implications for the future of abortion rights in Ohio and potentially influence the national conversation surrounding this issue.
