Ohio voters have approved Issue 1, a new amendment to the state Constitution that restores abortion rights protected by the landmark Supreme Court case, Roe v. Wade. This victory for abortion rights supporters was called by the Associated Press on Tuesday evening.
The amendment, which will become law in December, aims to reverse the restrictive measures introduced by the controversial Heartbeat Bill passed in Ohio in 2019. The Heartbeat Bill prohibited abortions once a fetal heartbeat was detected, typically around the sixth week of pregnancy. However, its implementation was halted due to the protection afforded by Roe v. Wade, a 1973 Supreme Court decision that recognized the constitutional right to privacy extended to the right to seek an abortion.
The landscape surrounding abortion rights underwent a significant change with the recent Dobbs vs. Jackson decision in 2022. The Supreme Court’s ruling reversed Roe v. Wade, effectively transferring the authority to regulate abortion laws back to individual states. Consequently, the Heartbeat Bill in Ohio came into effect.
Issue 1 represents a means to revert to the precedent set by Roe v. Wade, which rested on the notion of fetal viability rather than the detection of a heartbeat. By returning to this standard, Ohio aims to safeguard women’s right to choose by allowing abortions to be performed within the timeframe established by Roe v. Wade.
It is important to note that Ohio Issue 1, which was voted upon recently, should not be confused with the Issue 1 ballot measure in the August Special Election. The latter sought to alter the requirements for placing a vote on a Constitutional amendment on the Ohio ballot.
The approval of Issue 1 in Ohio signifies a consequential victory for advocates of abortion rights, outlining the state’s commitment to preserving the provisions of Roe v. Wade. However, it remains a contentious topic, with opinions on both sides of the debate passionately expressed. As Ohio prepares to solidify this amendment into law, it serves as a testament to the ongoing nationwide conversation surrounding reproductive rights.
