COLUMBUS, Ohio — It's the final days of early voting here in Ohio, and the countdown to Election Day is well underway.
Groups on both sides of Issue 1 are doing what they can to get Ohioans to vote Nov. 7.
From watching television ads at home to passing campaign posters on the streets, it’s hard to miss signs pointing to issues now facing Ohioans.
The Franklin County Board of Elections said about 350 early voters cast their ballots an hour, even in Monday’s rain.
“You know, it’s a great day, actually, because it’s busy,” said Justin Duff, a volunteer with the Franklin County Democratic Party. “It’s really crowded for how cold and rainy it is.”
Outside the early voting location, volunteers like Duff gave one last push for their causes.
“Hey, maybe a friendly face saying, ‘Hey, Democratic Party,’” he said. “Maybe it changes your mind. You never know.”
Duff handed out brochures in support of Issue 1, while Gov. Mike DeWine helped some students from Franciscan University prepare for a day of canvassing against the issue.
“I’m one of those kind of strange people that actually likes knocking on doors,” DeWine said. “And I could tell these students stories.”
Instead, he shared some advice.
“Be careful with dogs, be respectful,” he said with a laugh.
The group stayed upbeat while gearing up to speak to prospective voters about the historic election. Issue 1 would place reproductive rights and rules regarding abortion in the state’s constitution.
According to campaign filings reported to the Secretary of State’s office last week, Protect Women Ohio, a coalition against Issue 1, raised more than $9.9 million so far from donors in- and out-of-state.
Meanwhile, Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights, a group supporting the issue, reported receiving more than $28 million.
“A tremendous amount of outside money, outside the state of Ohio,” DeWine said. “Even the governor of Illinois put $500,000 in, for heaven’s sake.”
DeWine said abortion is a heavy topic one people across the country are now facing after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year.
“It’s not something people really want to think much about,” he said. “It’s just human nature.”
But with Issue 1 on the ballot, abortion is front and center for Ohioans, with volunteers on both sides of the measure helping voters make their own decisions.
“Make a little bit of change where you can,” Duff said. “Hopefully.”
In-person early voting is available at your local county board of elections through Sunday. Election Day is Tuesday, Nov. 7.