Proposed state constitutional amendment on abortion access OK’d for November ballot

Ohio voters will decide this fall whether the right to an abortion should be added to the state constitution, after officials said this week that enough signatures were gathered to get the proposal on the ballot (Source: “Ohio voters will decide on abortion access in November ballot,” Associated Press, July 25).

However, it’s an open question how much support the amendment will need to pass, as Republican lawmakers have set a special election next month on whether to raise the threshold from a simple majority to 60%.

In language similar to a constitutional amendment that Michigan voters approved last November, the measure would require restrictions imposed past a fetus’ viability outside the womb — which is typically around the 24th week of pregnancy and was the standard under Roe v. Wade — to be based on evidence of patient health and safety benefits.

Secretary of State Frank LaRose determined Tuesday that Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights submitted nearly 496,000 valid signatures, comfortably enough to put the amendment before voters on Nov. 7. The coalition had submitted more than 700,000 signatures.