Written by Sydney Beckham

Tomorrow, Ohioans will cast their votes on reproductive rights. If Issue 1: The Right to Make Reproductive Decisions Including Abortion passes, it will codify reproductive rights into the Ohio Constitution.  Currently, abortion is legal for up to 21 weeks in the state. If Issue 1 fails, the fate of abortion access in Ohio will likely be decided by the courts. This amendment follows in line of similar abortion amendments that have recently been on the ballot in Kansas, Michigan, California, Vermont, among other states.

Spending for November’s Issue 1 has reached $40.7M, with pro-reproductive right groups spending $24.4M. Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights have spent $24.2M, while a few other groups have spent less than $100K. Groups opposing Issue 1 have spent $16.2M, with Protect Women Ohio spending $13.8M. Created Equal has allocated $1.4M on ads against Issue 1, and Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati has spent $567K.

In August, Ohio held a special election for Issue 1: 60% Vote Requirement to Approve Constitutional Amendments Measure, aimed at making it more challenging to amend the Ohio constitution. August’s Issue 1 sought to raise the threshold for amending the constitution from 50% to 60%, a change that Ohioans overwhelmingly rejected. Between March and August, the issue saw $28M spent on advertisements surrounding the amendment. Groups opposing Issue 1 spent $16.5M, while those in favor spent $11.5M.

Broadcast ads from Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights focus on the potential of an abortion ban. In their most aired ad, an Ohioan highlights how he was raised to oppose abortion, but believes the laws enacted in Ohio are too extreme and do not make exceptions for the health of the mother. Another ad emphasizes voting ‘Yes’ on issue 1 is important so “Ohio families will always have the freedom to make the most personal of decisions”.

In Protect Woman Ohio’s most aired ad, OH Governor Mike DeWine discusses how voters are confused about Issue 1. DeWine claims Issue 1 would permit abortion at any point during pregnancy and that it “just goes too far”. Another ad contends that under the proposed amendment, the state “shall not interfere with individuals getting abortions and sex changes” and that parents will be cut out of decisions. Another group who is against Issue 1, Created Equal, released an ad focused on late term abortions in Ohio.

Following the overturning of Roe v. Wade last year, six states held abortion ballot measures across the United States, all of which voted in favor of protecting abortion access in their respective states. Since the failure of August’s Issue 1, Ohio’s abortion amendment will now only require 50% support to pass. 

For analysis on last year’s Kansas abortion amendment, read our blog here:

For analysis on how abortion played a role in the 2022 Midterms’ messaging, read our report here: