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What's On The Ballot? Issue #1: Reproductive Rights

Written by Greater Cleveland Congregations

Alright, Ohio! The nation took notice when you voted in August. Let’s do it again!

The November 7th ballot is a doozy. We the people of Ohio are making some big decisions in this upcoming election. Together we are writing the future.

We can’t tell you how to vote, and we don’t want to. You’re in control. We can’t tell you how we’re going to vote — mostly because GCC has more than 40,000 members. We agree on a lot, but it’s nearly impossible for all of us to agree on everything. Besides, this is about you — your vote and your power.

Ohio Issue 1 on the November 7th ballot is reproductive rights.

From Ballotpedia:

Ohio Issue 1, the Right to Make Reproductive Decisions Including Abortion Initiative, is on the ballot in Ohio as an initiated constitutional amendment on November 7, 2023.

A "yes" vote supports amending the Ohio Constitution to:

  • establish a state constitutional right to "make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions," including decisions about abortion, contraception, fertility treatment, miscarriage care, and continuing pregnancy, and
  • allow the state to restrict abortion after fetal viability, except when “necessary to protect the pregnant patient’s life or health.”

A "no" vote opposes amending the Ohio Constitution to establish the constitutional right to "make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions."

So what happens if we vote yes?

A “yes” vote establishes a state constitutional right for people and families to make and carry out their own reproductive decisions.

It means state constitutional protection for abortions. It also means the right to contraception, fertility treatments, care after a miscarriage and continuing pregnancy.

A “yes” vote also allows the state to restrict abortion after fetal viability except when necessary to protect the health or life of the pregnant patient. A fetus is usually considered viable at around 24 weeks or 5.5 months.

And what happens if we vote no?

A “no” vote allows legislators to make key decisions around reproductive health care and restore Ohio’s 6-week abortion ban.

These are big issues, and you are in control. So use your power. Vote to send a message: WE THE PEOPLE run the show in O-H-I-O!

 

Power to the people, not just politicians.

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