Ohio Voters Reject Bid to Restrict State Constitution Amendments
In a significant win for abortion-rights supporters, Ohio voters rejected a bid on Tuesday to make it more difficult to amend the State Constitution. The measure would have required amendments to gain the approval of 60 percent of voters, up from the current requirement of a simple majority. The vote served as a crucial test for Republicans nationwide seeking to limit ballot initiatives and also provided insight into the political climate leading up to the 2024 elections.
The abortion question transformed what would typically be a quiet summer election into a highly visible battle that attracted an unprecedented number of voters. Late results showed the measure losing by 13 percentage points, with roughly 2.8 million votes cast. This number significantly surpassed the 1.66 million ballots counted in the state’s 2022 primary elections.
Opponents of the proposal celebrated the vote as a decisive rejection of the State Legislature’s attempt to hinder a November vote on a constitutional amendment guaranteeing abortion rights. The proposal was seen by many as a power grab by lawmakers, leading to its ultimate defeat.
The controversy surrounding the ballot measure primarily centered around the ongoing abortion debate in Ohio. The State Legislature passed strict abortion restrictions last year following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade. Activists responded by launching a grassroots campaign to place an abortion-rights amendment on the November ballot, which the legislature sought to undermine with the proposed restrictions.
The battle over the ballot measure drew significant financial contributions from both sides, with at least $32.5 million spent on the campaign. Out-of-state donors played a significant role, with wealthy individuals and organizations supporting both supporters and opponents of the legislature’s proposal.
Beyond the abortion debate, some voters were disillusioned with the tactics employed by the State Legislature to push the proposal. Lawmakers had previously outlawed August elections, citing low turnout and susceptibility to special interest manipulation. However, they reversed course when it became apparent that a vote on the abortion rights amendment would likely take place in November. This perceived manipulation of the electoral process led to backlash and further opposition to the ballot measure.
Ultimately, the rejection of the proposal reflects a larger sentiment among voters who value preserving access to abortion and may portend the outcome of future elections. The battle in Ohio serves as a bellwether for the political climate surrounding reproductive rights and highlights the divisive nature of the issue in American politics.
Reporting from Daniel McGraw and Rachel Richardson contributed to this article.