Nov. 7 is the last day for Ohioans to cast their vote for the 2023 General Election, which includes the historic vote on abortion rights in the state.
If Issue 1 receives majority “No” votes, a six-week ban on abortion is likely to be reinstated by Ohio’s conservative Supreme Court. If Issue 1 receives a majority of “Yes” votes, a 6-week ban on abortion services would be considered unconstitutional and abortion access would remain available up until fetal viability, or about 24 weeks gestation.
Julie Rhine is not only one of those voting “No” on Issue 1, she’s campaigning for others to do the same.
“I’ve never done this before,” Rhine told CityBeat outside the polling station in St. William Church in West Price Hill.
Despite the provisions in the amendment for fetal viability, Rhine held a sign meant for voters and passers-by that reads, “ISSUE 1, VOTE NO. Makes it legal to kill a 9 month old baby.”
“They could be born the next day,” Rhine said.
According to the Ohio Department of Health, 66.5% of all induced abortions in 2022 involved pregnancies of less than nine weeks. Approximately 22.5% of abortions in the state involved pregnancies of nine to 12 weeks. There were 235 abortions involving pregnancies of 19-20 weeks gestation, and 107 from 21 weeks on.
Speaking to the Ohio Capital Journal, Ohio House Rep. Anita Somani, a practicing OB-GYN for 31 years, said the late-term abortion argument is “simply lies.”
“You won’t find data showing abortions after [22 weeks] because those are deliveries and are recorded as such with birth or death certificates,” Somani said.
Jocelyn Fox was voting at the Hamilton County Board of Elections when she told CityBeat she voted “Yes” on Issues 1 and 2.
“I think everyone has the right to their own body,” Fox said. “Whether that be marijuana or abortion, I think that both of those go hand-in-hand.”
Fox is confident in Issue 2, the ballot item to legalize recreational marijuana, but said she’s nervous that Issue 1 might not pass as handily. She hopes first-time Gen Z voters will take Issue 1 across the finish line.
“The abortion one I’m not sure about,” she said. “I hope it passes. I know Gen Z is very adamant about it, they were very angry after Roe v. Wade.”
Andy Kluesener, on the other hand, is adamant that voters should say “No” to Issue 1.
“It’s far too radical,” Kluesener told CityBeat outside the polling location in Christ the King Church in Mt. Lookout.
Like Rhine, Kluesener is a first-time Election Day campaigner thanks to Issue 1.
“They just want it easy, no restrictions, there’s been so much false advertising,” he said.
The high-stakes abortion question has drawn another first-timer.
Anna, who did not give CityBeat her last name, voted for the first time ever alongside her son.
“I’m 41, I’ve never voted,” she said. “I think women should have their own rights to do what they want with their bodies. I think my vote’s going to count. I hope it does.”
The polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 7. Absentee ballots are due by close of polls.
Related
The Election Guide: Voters to Decide on Abortion Rights, Recreational Marijuana and More
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This article appears in Nov 1-14, 2023.