Press Release
NARAL Pro-Choice America Celebrates Defeat of Ohio GOP’s Attempt to Block Ballot Measure Protecting Reproductive Freedom
NARAL Pro-Choice America Celebrates Defeat of Ohio GOP’s Attempt to Block Ballot Measure Protecting Reproductive Freedom
Washington, DC — Today, Ohio voters decisively defeated Issue 1, a blatant attempt by anti-abortion Republicans to rig the system and block another ballot measure to protect reproductive freedom from passing in November. If passed, the ballot question would have raised the threshold of voters needed to amend the state constitution from a simple majority to 60%. Polling shows that Ohio voters overwhelmingly support the November measure protecting abortion rights: A recent USA TODAY Network/Suffolk University poll found the ballot initiative is “backed by a double-digit margin, 58%-32%. Significant support crossed partisan lines, including a third of Republicans and a stunning 85% of independent women, a key group of persuadable voters.”
NARAL Pro-Choice America President Mini Timmaraju released the following statement:
“Ohioans’ support for abortion access and reproductive freedom was never in question. From defeating Issue 1 tonight to submitting nearly twice the amount of signatures needed to get a measure protecting abortion access on the ballot in November, Ohio voters have made clear that they will settle for nothing less than reproductive freedom for all. Republicans should be ashamed of their efforts to subvert the will of voters. Seeing this measure defeated is a victory for our fundamental rights and our democracy. We’re grateful to our partners on the ground for their tireless efforts to secure abortion rights and access. We look forward to fighting by their side to lock this fundamental freedom into law in November.”
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For over 50 years, NARAL Pro-Choice America has fought to protect and advance reproductive freedom at the federal and state levels—including access to abortion care, birth control, pregnancy and post-partum care, and paid family leave—for everybody. NARAL is powered by its 4 million members from every state and congressional district in the country, representing the 8 in 10 Americans who support legal abortion.