Ohio is the latest state to enshrine rights to reproductive care in its state constitution following theoverturning ofRoe v. Wadelast year, according to several news outlets.
On Tuesday, Ohio residents voted to approve a constitutional amendment ensuring protections to abortion and other forms of reproductive health care, according to theAssociated Press.
In anNBC Newsexit poll, liberal and Black voters led the charge in approving the amendment, with 94% and 84%, respectively, saying that they would vote to approve the amendment. Just behind them were voters under the age of 30 and female voters under the age of 45. Over 50% of votes were needed to approve or deny the amendment, per NBC News.
With the approval of the constitutional amendment, an individual’s right to “make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions,” will be protected under Ohio law. The state will be unable to pass any laws to restrict abortions prior to fetal viability, which is at about 22-24 weeks of pregnancy, according toCNN.
A handwritten Issue 1 sign outside a polling location in Toledo, Ohio, US, on Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023. Ohioans are considering a proposed amendment, called Issue 1, to prevent the state from interfering with reproductive decisions, including contraception, while allowing abortion bans with exceptions after fetal viability.Emily Elconin/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Emily Elconin/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Last year, Ohio put forth a bill to ban abortions after six weeks — when fetal cardiac activity is detected, but before many women are aware of their pregnancy. However, a judge issued a preliminary injunction, blocking the ban from taking effect. Several other states, likeIowa, have enacted six-week abortion bans.
AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki
President Joe Bidenpraised Ohio voters’ decision in astatementTuesday night saying, “Tonight, Americans once again voted to protect their fundamental freedoms – and democracy won.”
Two opponents to Issue 1 hug after hearing the proposal had passed.AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster
AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster
“This extreme and dangerous agenda is out-of-step with the vast majority of Americans. My Administration will continue to protect access to reproductive health care and call on Congress to restore the protections of Roe v. Wade in federal law once and for all,” Biden said concluding his statement.
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However, some state lawmakers vowed to continue to fight against the results, including Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens who told the AP that the approval of the amendment “is not the end of the conversation.”
“As a 100% pro-life conservative, I remain steadfastly committed to protecting life, and that commitment is unwavering,” Stephens said. “The Legislature has multiple paths that we will explore to continue to protect innocent life.”
source: people.com
