Lawmakers on both sides: Ohioans voted yes to avoid what could be viewed as 'extreme rulings'
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Ohio & Mahoning Valley - As Ohio Voters voted 'yes' on reproductive protection and legalization of recreational marijuana, where does that leave the electorate?
Ohio U.S. Senator Sherrod Brown, seeking re-election, said he doesn't see this as a shift in the mind of voters. He sees it as a push to the polls.
"I think people in Ohio, in the Mahoning Valley and beyond understand that there are a number of politicians in Ohio, that want to see a nationwide abortion ban," Brown said, "Last night, yesterday, people turned out in huge numbers to say a strong note of that."
Advocates tell 21 News they're not surprised to see these controversial issues lead, adding that voters on both sides are choosing to no longer be "complacent" in the wake of what could be seen as "extreme rulings" in the eyes of voters.
This includes Ohio's six-week abortion ban called the Heartbeat Bill, which has been put on pause in the Ohio Supreme Court, as well as the federal overturning of Roe v. Wade, followed by the Ohio Legislature holding a special August 2023 election with one measure on the ballot, which would have made more difficult to amend the statewide constitution if voters approved it, but the measure failed.
This came months before the reproductive amendment appeared on the November 2023 ballot.
"It's a wake-up call to a lot of voters who may not have been prioritizing this issue in the way that they are now," Ohio Reproductive Advocate Ryan Stitzlein said, "They know that who they vote to elect can now determine how many constitutional rights and freedoms they have."
This message is one Ohio U.S. Senator J.D. Vance pointed out as a reason why Republicans "lost" this battle.
Vance said Issue 1 is "a gut punch." He adds in part, "Instead, we need to understand why we lost this battle" and that "...(leaders) We have to recognize how much voters mistrust us (meaning elected Republicans) on this issue. Having an unplanned pregnancy is scary."
Vance's full statement:
"For pro lifers, last night was a gut punch. No sugar coating it. Giving up on the unborn is not an option. It's politically dumb and morally repugnant. Instead, we need to understand why we lost this battle so we can win the war. I was very involved in the "no" campaign for issue 1, so let me share a few insights. First, we got creamed among voters who disliked both Issue 1 and also Ohio's current law (heartbeat bill). We saw this consistently in polling and in conversations. "I don't like Issue 1, but I'd rather have that extreme than the other extreme." This is a political fact, not my opinion. Second, we have to recognize how much voters mistrust us (meaning elected Republicans) on this issue. Having an unplanned pregnancy is scary. Best case, you're looking at social scorn and thousands of dollars of unexpected medical bills. We need people to see us as the pro-life party, not just the anti-abortion party. Third, as Donald Trump has said, "you've got to have the exceptions." I am as pro life as anyone, and I want to save as many babies as possible. This is not about moral legitimacy but political reality. I've seen dozens of good polls on the abortion question in the last few months, many of them done in Ohio. Give people a choice between abortion restrictions very early in pregnancy with exceptions, or the pro choice position, and the pro life view has a fighting chance. Give people a heartbeat bill with no exceptions and it loses 65-35. (The reason we didn't lose 65-35 last night is that some people who hate "no exceptions" restrictions will still refuse to vote for things like Issue 1). Fourth, we've spent so much time winning a legal argument on abortion that we've fallen behind on the moral argument. I talked to so many decent people who voted yes on Issue 1, and their reasons varied. Some described themselves as "pro life" but hated the lack of a rape exception in Ohio law. Some were worried that Ohio law would prevent them from addressing an ectopic pregnancy, or a late term miscarriage. Some didn't understand the "viability" standard in Issue 1, and thought that of course you should be able to abort a "non-viable" pregnancy as that would be a danger to the mother. You can criticize the propaganda effort on the other side for lying to people about these issues or confusing the populace, but it suggests we have to do a much better job of persuasion. And I'm not just talking about 30 second TV commercials--I'm talking about sustained, years long efforts to show the heart of the pro life movement. Fifth, money. We got outspent big time on Issue 1, and across the country. Republicans are almost always outspent by Democrats. Relatedly, Democrats are better at turning out in off year elections. The national party should be focused on two, and only two issues: how to juice turnout in off year elections and how to close the finance gap with Democrats. A lot of people put their heart and soul into this campaign. The local right to life organizations in Ohio, The Center for Christian Virtue, SBA, Governor Dewine, and so many others. I tip my hat to them. A lot of people are celebrating right now, and I don't care about that. I do care about the fact that because we lost, many innocent children will never have a chance to live their dreams. There is something sociopathic about a political movement that tells young women (and men) that it is liberating to murder their own children. So let's keep fighting for our country's children, and let's find a way to win."
Ohio is now the seventh state that had had a direct ballot question on abortion, and has won in all seven states, Stitzlein said.
Mahoning Valley Right to Life, a local pro-life organization, said there is no plan they're of aware of at this point to address issue 1 results. The organization said they are disappointed and will continue to spread their faith-based message, but do believe that the mother's protection is the most important.
21 News Reached out to the Ohio Right to Life organization, and the statewide group released this statement:
“The passing of Issue 1 is a heartbreaking loss for families and the unborn in our state. Not only have parent’s rights been taken away to know if their minor child is making a life altering reproductive decision, but children in the womb are now in danger of death by abortion through all nine months of pregnancy. Ohio Right to Life will never stop advocating for the voiceless in our society and the fight begins anew today to protect the innocent. We want to thank Senator J.D. Vance, Governor Mike DeWine, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, the Catholic Conference of Ohio, all our coalition partners, and the elected officials and countless volunteers who gave so much for the cause of life in this election. We will never tire in our resolve to defend the innocent so Ohio will be a state that cherishes life, both born and unborn.”
What comes next to Issues 1 and 2?
Legal experts told 21 News the Ohio Supreme Court is expected to strike down the heartbeat bill, which has been on pause over procedural issues. Experts said it's likely the state will uphold certain reproductive restrictions, such as a ban on abortion after fetal viability unless there is risk for the mother.
As for Issue 2, regarding the recreational use and possession of marijuana, the statute will go into effect on December 7th.
Unlike Issue 1, the legalization of recreational marijuana is not a constitutional amendment, so there is potential for the Ohio legislature to push for adjustments on the measure if lawmakers decide to.
Local dispensaries warn it could take a few years to get adult-use dispensaries up and running.
