COLUMBUS, Ohio — As Ohio’s abortion law moves through the courts, abortion rights advocates are trying to get the issue on the ballot in November.
Ohio’s Heartbeat law is currently on hold as a judge determines whether it’s legal or not.
But this week, two abortion rights groups, Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom and Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights, filed language with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office which could lead to Ohioans voting on an amendment in November allowing abortion access.
“We are very hopeful and honestly we’re confident,” said Dr. Lauren Beene, executive director Ohio Physicians for Reproductive Rights. “The people of Ohio are ready, the people of Ohio are ready to volunteer, they’re ready to sign and they’re ready to vote.”
The amendment would essentially allow Ohioans to make their own reproductive decisions, regarding not just abortion, but also contraception and fertility treatments.
“When we don’t have access to those things, people suffer,” Dr. Beene said.
The exception to the proposed amendment to abortion access: fetal viability. It is the point in a pregnancy when physicians say a fetus can survive with reasonable measures.
Meanwhile, anti-abortion advocates across Ohio are also speaking out, hoping this amendment is struck down.
“What we’re seeing is a ballot initiative that is purposely deceptive and dangerous,” said Elizabeth Marbach, director of communications for Ohio Right to Life.
Marbach also said the measure does little to protect women.
“This would take away any protections for women who were sexually assaulted. This would allow people to force them to go into an abortion clinic and cover up the crimes that were committed against them,” she said.
Marbach also added that the amendment would take away a parent’s right to know if their child is getting an abortion.
“Parents have a right to know what’s happening in their children’s lives, including them walking into an abortion clinic,” said Marbach.
As far as the next step, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost will have 10 days to review the language submitted. If approved, 400,000 signatures will need to be collected to get the amendment on the November ballot. If the ballot language is denied, abortion rights groups will have the opportunity to make revisions and resubmit it.
