A coalition of pro-abortion activists on Monday submitted proposed ballot language to the Ohio Ballot Board for consideration on a proposed amendment for the November ballot that would enshrine abortion into the state Constitution.
The Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom, a coalition of radical pro–abortion activists that includes Planned Parenthood, Pro–Choice Ohio, the Abortion Fund of Ohio, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Ohio, along with the Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights has proposed “The Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety” which would add a Section 22 to Article 1 of the state Constitution.
The proposal would remove Ohio’s parental notification legislation when a minor wants an abortion and the requirement that abortionists adhere to fundamental hospital health and safety standards. Also, it aims to permit abortions after babies have heartbeats and can feel pain.
At an upcoming meeting, the Ohio Ballot Board will decide what text will appear on the ballot when people vote on the proposal this autumn. The board can decide to use the full text of the proposed amendment or use a condensed version of the text for the ballot language.
Attorney Donald McTigue representing the petitioners for the constitutional amendment, sent a letter to the ballot board on Monday requesting that the board use the full text of the proposed amendment so that voters can read the entire thing on the ballot in the general election this year.
“As written the full text of the proposed amendment is clear, concise, and direct: The voters of Ohio will be best served by the ballot language presenting the actual full text of the proposed amendment,” McTigue said.
He also argued that by using the full text, no one can dispute if the ballot language satisfies legal standards or if the condensed text misleads, deceives or defrauds voters.
McTigue requested that the Ballot Board consider using the title “The Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protections for Health and Safety” on the November ballot.
“It does not stray from the subject matter, nor pick and choose from the text of the amendment and is the title of the new section that would be added to the constitution. The Committee asks that this title be given “full consideration” by the Secretary,” McTigue said.
Because Ohio voters defeated Issue 1 earlier this month at the polls, which would have raised the threshold to approve a constitutional amendment, the amendment only requires a simple majority to pass.
The Ohio Ballot Board will consider and vote on the language on Thursday, where it will also consider language regarding a proposed statute for recreational marijuana.
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Hannah Poling is a lead reporter at The Ohio Star, The Star News Network, and The Arizona Sun Times. Follow Hannah on Twitter @HannahPoling1. Email tips to [email protected]
Photo “Abortion Supporter” by Lorie Shaull. CC BY-SA 2.0.
