Ohio has rejected a Republican motion to make it harder to change the state's constitution, which is seen as a defeat for anti-abortion groups. The Republican-controlled state legislature wanted to raise the bar for constitutional amendments from a simple majority to 60%. This move was widely seen as an attempt to derail a planned referendum to enshrine abortion rights into the constitution.
President Joe Biden called Ohio's rejection of the motion a victory for democracy and for women. He criticized the Republican-backed move as an attempt to weaken voters' voices and erode women's freedom to make their own healthcare decisions.
Pro-choice groups in Ohio had planned to use the November elections to reverse the ban on abortion after six weeks of pregnancy by getting the right to have an abortion enshrined into the state's constitution. However, the measure, known as Issue 1, was rejected with a margin of 57% to 43%.
Supporters of Issue 1 claimed that it was about protecting the constitution, while opponents argued that it was an effort to block the abortion amendment. Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose, who supported Issue 1, said it was about protecting the Ohio constitution from outside interests and controversial issues.
The rejection of Issue 1 has implications beyond abortion. Without constitutional protection, the Republican-controlled state legislature is likely to move forward with more anti-abortion legislation. This could have consequences for neighboring states, such as Indiana, Kentucky, and West Virginia, where abortion access has already been restricted.
The outcome of Ohio's August election could also impact the state's upcoming election for US senator next year, in which Secretary of State Frank LaRose may be a candidate.
Overall, the rejection of Issue 1 in Ohio's special election is seen as a defeat for anti-abortion groups and a victory for those advocating for women's reproductive rights. The vote raises questions about the balance between protecting the constitution and addressing controversial issues like abortion.