State Issue One rally draws in Valley political, healthcare leaders
Youngstown & Ohio - Early voting in Ohio began Wednesday for the November election.
All Ohioans are heading to the polls with two issues on their minds, reproductive rights and the legalization of recreational marijuana.
State Issue One could change abortion laws in the state. Several political and medical leaders in the Valley gathered to rally in support of State Issue One on Wednesday as early voting kicks off.
Every Ohioan will see State Issue One on November's ballot. If passed, the amendment would give Ohioans the right to an abortion and reproductive freedoms.
"This is about power, this is about freedom and this is about the right to make the decision about your body, your family, and your lives," said Jaladah Aslam, President of the Youngstown Warren Black Caucus.
Healthcare workers from across the state and several Valley leaders gathered at the Mahoning County Board of Elections to make their stance known.
"That's why you see a lot of doctors out here today because we all see how bad things are and how bad things were during those 11 weeks when patients couldn't get the care that they needed," said Dr. Lauren Beene, Co-founder & Executive Director of Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights.
The group that rallied outside of the Board of Elections is encouraging the public to vote 'yes' on the matter after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a nationwide right to abortion last year.
"Maternal mortality is rising," said Alexis Smith, Steering Committee Member of Steel Valley Reproductive Freedom Coalition. "In this state and across the country. So, more and more women are dying during pregnancy and childbirth. So, in order to get control of that and start having fewer women dying, we definitely need that option available to us."
Those opposing the bill point to the finer details, explaining it's a radical proposal that will prevent any legal restrictions on abortion. The amendment would allow an abortion at any stage of pregnancy. Medical experts said to 21 News on Wednesday that it's about healthcare.
"Access to abortion is part of necessary evidence-based care," Beene added. "Pregnancy is complicated. Pregnancy is never black and white and we have to be able to make sure that patients can get the healthcare when they need it."
If State Issue One had passed in August, November's abortion amendment would have required 60% of the vote instead of a simple majority. Ohio is the only state to put an abortion rights question before voters this fall.
An AP poll from 2022 found 59% of Ohio voters say abortion should generally be legal.
