In a special election held on Tuesday, Ohio voters rejected Issue 1, a proposed amendment that would have made it more challenging to amend the state's constitution.[0] The measure, also known as Issue 1, aimed to increase the threshold for approving amendments from a simple majority to a 60% majority.[1] This change would have made it harder to put amendments before voters in the first place, requiring petitioners to gather signatures from 5% of eligible voters in each of Ohio's 88 counties, instead of the current 44.[2]
The defeat of Issue 1 means that Ohio will maintain its current simple majority threshold for passing any future changes to the state constitution. If the measure had passed, it would have required a super majority of 60% of voters to approve amendments.[3] This defeat is seen as a victory for reproductive rights advocates, as it clears the way for a November referendum on whether to guarantee access to abortion in the state.
The connection between Issue 1 and the abortion referendum in November was a significant factor in driving voter turnout for this special election. Republicans in Ohio proposed Issue 1 as a way to raise the threshold for enacting changes to the state constitution, in response to fears that an abortion-rights amendment would pass in November. By raising the threshold to 60%, they hoped to block the passage of the abortion-rights amendment.[4] However, the defeat of Issue 1 now paves the way for the abortion-rights measure to potentially be approved with a simple majority vote.[4]
The defeat of Issue 1 is seen as a significant victory for reproductive rights advocates, who have been working to restore protections that were eliminated after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.[0] If the abortion-rights amendment is approved in November, it would restore these protections and potentially undo a six-week abortion ban that was created by Ohio's Republican officials. The defeat of Issue 1 also keeps open the possibility for progressives to enshrine other policies, such as marijuana legalization and a higher minimum wage, in the state constitution with a simple majority vote.[0]
The special election on Issue 1 saw historic voter turnout, with nearly 700,000 Ohioans casting their votes early.[5] This turnout exceeded previous records for special elections and demonstrated the high level of interest in this particular issue.[6] The defeat of Issue 1 was seen as a rebuke to Republican leaders in the state, who had pushed for the higher threshold in an attempt to dilute voter power and prevent the passage of the abortion-rights amendment.
In the aftermath of the defeat, attention now turns to the upcoming November referendum on abortion rights in Ohio.[7] Polls suggest that the amendment, which would protect abortion access up until fetal viability (around 24 weeks of pregnancy), would likely win a majority.[8] However, meeting the 60% threshold required by Issue 1 would be a challenge.[8] Nonetheless, abortion rights advocates remain hopeful and point to recent victories in other states, such as Kansas, Kentucky, and Michigan, where efforts to limit abortion rights have been rejected or where constitutional protections have been established.
The defeat of Issue 1 has broader implications for Ohio's political landscape. It keeps open the possibility for progressives to push for other amendments, including measures to curb gerrymandering and raise the minimum wage. Democrats see this victory as a sign that Ohio is once again a competitive state politically, and they hope that it will encourage more national attention and investment in the state.
In conclusion, the defeat of Issue 1 in Ohio's special election is seen as a significant victory for reproductive rights advocates. It maintains the current simple majority threshold for passing future changes to the state's constitution and clears the way for a November referendum on abortion rights. The high voter turnout and the connection to the abortion referendum were key factors in the defeat of Issue 1. This defeat has implications for Ohio's political landscape and could lead to further progressive measures being enshrined in the state constitution.
0. “The Abortion Backlash Reaches Ohio” The Atlantic, 9 Aug. 2023, https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2023/08/ohio-special-election-issue-1-abortion/674957/
1. “CNN Projection: Ohio voters reject effort that would make it harder to amend state constitution” CNN, 9 Aug. 2023, https://www.cnn.com/2023/08/08/politics/ohio-special-election/index.html
2. “Live results on Ohio Issue 1, the amendment to make it harder to change the state's constitution” WVXU, 9 Aug. 2023, https://www.wvxu.org/politics/2023-08-07/live-results-ohio-issue-1-constitutional-amendment
3. “Voting machines not an issue in Cuyahoga Falls on Election Day” Akron Beacon Journal, 8 Aug. 2023, https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/politics/2023/08/08/issue-1-voting-machines-ohio-special-election-glitch/70552217007/
4. “Why today’s vote in Ohio is an important national story” MSNBC, 8 Aug. 2023, https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/todays-vote-ohio-important-national-story-rcna98809
5. “Final early vote tally shows nearly 700,000 Ohioans have already voted” Ohio Capital Journal, 8 Aug. 2023, https://ohiocapitaljournal.com/2023/08/08/final-early-vote-tally-shows-nearly-700000-ohioans-have-already-voted
6. “Ohio voters decide on Issue 1: Polls closed, results coming in” Cleveland 19 News, 8 Aug. 2023, https://www.cleveland19.com/2023/08/08/ohio-voters-decide-issue-1-polls-remain-open-until-730-pm-tonight/
7. “Issue 1 fails in Ohio: How did Northeast Ohio counties vote in special election?” WKYC.com, 9 Aug. 2023, https://www.wkyc.com/article/news/politics/elections/issue-1-fails-northeast-ohio-county-vote/95-c2c380e5-e8ed-4046-a25f-6040def8dfd6
8. “What is Ohio's Issue 1- and why is the vote so controversial?” BBC, 9 Aug. 2023, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-66442370
