Correction: A previous version of this article incorrectly listed the name of Pro-Choice Ohio. (March 28, 2023)

COLUMBUS, Ohio — The question of an August special election is causing a rift between Ohio GOP leaders at the Statehouse. 

Senate President Matt Huffman hopes to get Senate Bill 92, which calls for an August special election on the Senate and House floors within the next few months. 

The bill would need to pass by May in order for boards of elections to have enough time to prepare for the special August election. 

“With this abortion issue looming that we set the ground rules for all of these things sooner rather than later,” said Huffman.  

If Senate Bill 92 passes, Ohioans would have the chance to vote yes or no, on raising the threshold to 60% for passing a constitutional ballot amendment.

Ohio House Speaker State Rep. Jason Stephens ultimately decides what legislation the Ohio House will vote on and said he does not support an August special election.

“We just voted to not have those anymore just a few months ago and the county election officials I talked to are not interested in having it,” said Stephens. “I’m frankly not interested in having an election in August.”

This question of an August special election comes when a campaign is underway to get abortion rights on the November ballot. 

Jaime Miracle, deputy director of Pro-Choice Ohio, said it does not matter if a special election is held. She said they will continue gathering signatures and fairly get their amendment on the ballot. 

“It just really shows that these politicians know exactly what the people of Ohio are,” said Miracle. “They know that they support our campaign. They know they support abortion access. And that is why they keep talking about special elections and doing everything they can to rig this in their favor.”

Meanwhile, Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life, said he’s in favor of the special election. 

“There’s 8 million registered voters in the state of Ohio. It should be up to us. Look, my side might win. My side might lose. But let’s have that debate in public square and then cast our ballot to what we want,” said Gonidakis. 

Ohio’s last general assembly passed a law eliminating most special elections because of the high cost. 

“The Ohio Association of Election Officials has not yet taken a formal position on Senate Bill 92, which would create an August special election in 2023 and appropriate $20 million to administer that election,” said Aaron Ockerman, executive director of the Ohio Association of Election Officials. “As always, our bipartisan association looks forward to working with members of both political parties in the legislature and our Secretary of State to craft sound election laws and policies.”