Ohioans vote Tuesday on a measure that would make it harder to pass future changes to the state constitution. Ideastream’s Karen Kasler explains the possible implications for abortion access in Ohio.
Sources:
NPR: A look ahead at the Ohio special election
Five Thirty Eight: Everything You Need To Know About The Ohio Ballot Measure That Could Block Abortion Rights
CNN: Ohio special election becomes proxy for abortion rights fight
PBS News Hour: Ohio voters to decide on constitutional change before determining abortion rights
The Guardian: Republicans pushed a special election in Ohio – what does it mean for abortion rights?
AP: Voters in Ohio reject GOP-backed proposal that would have made it tougher to protect abortion rights
NY Times: Ohio Voters Reject Constitutional Change Intended to Thwart Abortion Amendment
They’re not technically wrong even if they are grossly misleading. Of course there isn’t anything like that on the November ballot. One day there could be. At least that’s what they want to scare people into believing. The reality is far from their narrative as usual. That doesn’t mean we don’t have a problem with outside money interfering with the political process here in Ohio. Sure, it happens more in the government (see the large recent bribery scandal). It also happens to our ballot initiatives. People collecting signatures for the two upcoming amendments aren’t necessarily volunteers and aren’t even always Ohioans. I found that out first hand when I asked the ones trying to get my signature. I still signed but it opened my eyes.