COLUMBUS — Two groups advocating for abortion rights say they’re ready to submit fall ballot language for a constitutional amendment guaranteeing Ohioans’ access to reproductive care.
Abortion opponents vow to fight the effort.
They believe that they can rewrite our state Constitution to eliminate all protections for the unborn, including abortions after the point at which babies feel pain—endangering the health and wellbeing of both women and children,” Ohio Right to Life Director of Communications, Elizabeth Marbach, said.
The measure was submitted to Republican Attorney General Dave Yost Tuesday.
It calls for establishing “a fundamental right to reproductive freedom” for Ohioans.
“We simply cannot rely on our legislators or even our courts to secure this freedom in the long run, we have to do it ourselves. This amendment will finally stop the extremist politicians who have passed harmful laws and who continually seek to insert themselves into the private decisions of patients and doctors,” said Prof. Jessie Hill, spokeswoman for Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom.
The language is similar to a constitutional amendment that Michigan voters approved in November.
The announcement from Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom and Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights follows the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision last year to overturn the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling that protected abortion rights.