Ohioans Vote to Embed Abortion Rights in State Constitution, Drawing Praise from Biden

In a significant development, Ohio residents have cast their votes to enshrine the right to abortion in the state’s constitution. With a majority of votes counted, it appears that the referendum known as Issue 1 has garnered more “yes” votes, thereby amending the state constitution to affirm the right to “make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions,” including abortion. This move could potentially set a precedent for the 2024 presidential race.

President Joe Biden, who has consistently advocated for abortion rights during his presidency, lauded the decision of Ohioans, stating that they have voted to protect their fundamental freedoms. Biden also emphasized that the vote signifies a rejection of extreme abortion bans proposed by MAGA Republicans, alluding to former President Donald Trump’s “Make America Great Again” slogan.

While some, like 38-year-old Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, opposed the amendment due to their pro-life stance, others, like 43-year-old Jill, voted ‘yes’ to protect their reproductive rights. The intense campaign leading up to the vote has drawn attention to Ohio, with both pro- and anti-abortion rights activists investing significant resources in the debate.

This referendum comes 17 months after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the national right to abortion, allowing certain states to ban the practice, even in cases of rape or incest. In Ohio, this decision led to a state law that sought to prohibit all abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat, typically around six weeks into pregnancy. Legal challenges have temporarily suspended this law, allowing abortions in the state up to approximately 22 weeks of pregnancy.

The vote in Ohio is seen as a pivotal moment in the ongoing abortion rights debate in the United States. It enshrines the right to make reproductive decisions but also allows for restrictions after fetal viability unless the life or health of the pregnant individual is at risk. The broader implications of this decision will continue to be a focal point of the national discourse surrounding reproductive rights.

Re-reported from the article originally published in The Hindustan Times