COLUMBUS, Ohio — This week, a majority of Ohioans voted "No" on Issue 1. It defeats a measure that would have changed the threshold for a citizen-initiated amendment to 60% instead of the simple majority.
The measure would have also changed the signature gathering process, and getting rid of the 10-day cure period. Ohio's top political leaders have been heavily involved in the August special election either promoting a "Yes," or a "No" vote.
The primary focus of state leaders will now turn to the November election. Right now, an abortion rights amendment could potentially make reproductive rights legal in the Ohio Constitution.
"We're going to have to fight those off so we can protect Ohio. I worry, too, that when you have a bare majority, 50% plus one, that it leads to those kind of extreme things instead of more moderate solutions that can build a broad consensus, you end up with ideas from the far right and from the far left in the in the form of constitutional amendments," Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose.
LaRose told Spectrum News he is anti-abortion, and this November, it will ultimately be up to the Ohioans to make the decision for the Buckeye State's future. LaRose said one of his goals is to try and keep special interests out of the Ohio constitution, and he is disappointed Issue 1 did not pass this August.
"Unfortunately, that for sale sign still hangs on the Ohio constitution," LaRose said. "And that's on display right now when we see efforts to try to strip away qualified immunity, filing petition papers just today, this abortion amendment in November, or next year, what they're attempting to do right now is people are gathering signatures to try to put a massive minimum wage increase that would be really government mandates on wages for Ohioans that would put Ohioans out of work and close Ohio's small businesses."
LaRose said as the secretary of state, they will put forth education efforts regarding all amendments featured on the November ballot. He said accurate information and educating people on the new voter ID requirements is critical.
"As secretary of state, we're always working to make sure people are empowered with accurate information about how to be a voter," LaRose said. "It's easy to vote in Ohio. We're proud of that. Ohio voters stepped up in large numbers and participated in early voting and absentee voting over the last few weeks. And as you saw, we had a record turnout. I think that they'll be large turnout again in November. And that's a great thing for Ohio, because Ohioans are very engaged."
Meanwhile, Democratic Sen. Nickie Antonio, who is the the Senate minority leader, deems the August special election as a major win for Ohio. She said this upcoming November, she will continue to get the word out on what the reproductive rights amendment will do to her constituents.
"I know that the conversations get heated and there's a lot of misinformation that gets put out there," said Antonio. "At the end of the day, we're talking about people's right to make their own decision over their body autonomy and have a say on their freedom. The freedom to be able to make those personal private plans for themselves, but also accessing what can be a lifesaving procedure if there's a problem with the pregnancy, if there's a fetal anomaly."
Antonio added she believes the results of the election spoke for themselves, and now they will need all hands on deck.
"It actually changed back to what I hope is a fair fight," Antonio said. "It's about reaching out to voters, and explaining to them why it's important having reproductive justice."
The November election preparation is just beginning statewide with political leaders, and also advocacy groups. Meanwhile, The Ohio Supreme Court will also hear oral arguments on Sept. 27 for a pending case to place a hold on Ohio's six-week abortion ban.