Ohio Could Pass an Abortion Amendment More Extreme than Roe v. Wade. It’s Up to Us to Stop It.

Today’s guest article is by Hannah Langdon. Hannah is a recent college graduate working in pro-life grassroots efforts in Cincinnati.

This Election Day, Ohio voters are asked to choose between life and death. Pro-abortion groups are trying to pass an amendment to Ohio’s constitution that would prohibit any burdens on “reproductive rights.” The amendment (Issue 1) claims to protect access to miscarriage care (which is not, and will not be, illegal in Ohio) and abortion. Legal analysts say that the amendment would actually strip parental rights and legalize painful late-term abortions. 

Constitutions are supposed to protect the people, not endanger them. Yet this amendment would strip away protections from fundamental human relationships. If Issue 1 passes, parents wouldn’t be alerted if a man brings their fourteen-year-old daughter in for an abortion. Abortion clinics wouldn’t be held accountable by commonsense health regulations (many of which the ACLU already considers burdensome). Babies could be killed up to birth for any reason. This isn’t a slippery slope fallacy. It’s a cliff, and Ohio is about to throw its vulnerable babies and mothers off it—unless we stand up and do something. 

Activists across Ohio are working tirelessly to fight Issue 1. But we need help. Those both for and against Issue 1 know that Ohio is a crucial test case for abortion amendments in other states. Even if you don’t live in Ohio, we need your help to spread the truth about Issue 1’s radical danger to women and children.

How to Get Involved:

1. Volunteer. If you live in Ohio, you can join the volunteers knocking doors to inform people about why it’s so important to vote No on Issue 1. If you live out of (or in) Ohio, you can sign up to make phone calls.
2. Donate. Political campaigns need funding. Protect Women Ohio is the statewide coalition created to defeat Issue 1, or ask your local Right to Life organization.
3. Share. Groups like Protect Women Ohio (@protectwomenohio) and Vote No Ohio (@votenoohio) are creating shareable posts on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. Follow and share. You don’t have to get into arguments in the comments section, but don’t let your friends forget that this is happening. (While you’re at it, share SPL’s informational content to spread the truth about abortion.)
4. Educate. If you have family or friends in Ohio, make sure they know to vote NO on Issue 1. Don’t just go to your blatantly pro-life friends either. Many people I’ve talked to identify as “pro-choice” but are appalled at the idea of parents not knowing about their thirteen-year-old daughter’s abortion, or at the thought of a seven month old baby being dismembered and extracted. Issue 1 is radical even for those outside pro-life circles. 

[Read more – 7 ways you can fight abortion extremism in Ohio]