CLEVELAND — Ohio voters have determined that amending the state's constitution will not be made more difficult, defeating Issue 1 in Tuesday's special election.
Issue 1 would have raised the threshold to amending the Ohio Constitution from a simple majority to 60%. The special summer election is a precursor to November, when voters in Ohio will consider a constitutional amendment that would guarantee access to abortion.
Voters turned out in high numbers for the August special election. According to the Associated Press, during the early voting period, which ended Sunday, the number of advance ballots cast hit nearly 700,000, more than double the early vote during primary elections in 2018 and 2022, when high-profile races for U.S. Senate and governor were on the ballot.
Several Northeast Ohio politicians who opposed Issue 1 released statements following the results.
Cleveland Mayor Justin Bibb:
“Over the past months, we built a movement across party lines and geography to protect our constitution and majority rule. This coalition proved that politicians can’t out-smart the people of Ohio and when we organize, we win. Leadership matters and that’s why I used every tool at my disposal to ensure the defeat of this anti-democratic issue from simply knocking on doors to contributing to putting a ‘vote no’ message in mailboxes across Cuyahoga County.
"Tonight, we sent a strong message. Ohio doesn’t back down from a fight. When you come for our rights, we turn out in force. We will carry that same energy and momentum into protecting reproductive rights this Fall and into the battle for our democracy in 2024. There is no off year when our freedoms are on the line. I won’t give up this fight and with the results tonight, I know Ohio is with me.”
U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH):
“Ohioans saw this amendment for what it was: a power grab by powerful people designed to silence their voices. By rejecting State Issue 1, Ohioans rejected special interests and demanded that democracy remain where it belongs – in the hands of voters, not the rich and powerful. That is what has always guided me and I am proud to stand with Ohioans in this fight.”
Rep. Shontel Brown (D-OH-11):
"This manufactured political power grab by the Republican extremist in Ohio was intended to change the rules, suppress and silence the voices of Ohio voters. Tonight, Ohioans spoke loud and clear at the ballot box. Tonight is a victory for majority rule, a victory for fairness, a victory for democracy and this November there will be a victory for reproductive freedom in Ohio."
Rep. Emilia Sykes (D-OH-13):
"Ohioans sent a clear message tonight that they won’t allow Republicans to rig our democracy. Whether it’s reproductive rights, voting rights or labor rights, these freedoms should not be subject to the whims of out-of-touch politicians. Tonight we celebrate, but the fight continues in November."
Also commenting on the defeat of Ohio Issue 1 was President Joe Biden:
Voters’ rejection of the proposal marked a rare rebuke for Ohio Republicans, who have held power across every branch of state government for 12 years. Here were some reactions from key GOP members:
Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose:
“I’m grateful that nearly 1.3 million Ohioans stood with us in this fight, but this is only one battle in a long war. Unfortunately, we were dramatically outspent by dark money billionaires from California to New York, and the giant ‘for sale’ sign still hangs on Ohio’s constitution. Ohioans will see the devastating impact of this vote soon enough. The radical activists that opposed Issue 1 are already planning amendments to shut parents out of a child’s life-altering medical procedure, force job killing wage mandates on small businesses, prevent law abiding citizens from protecting their families and remove critical protections for our first responders. I’ve said for months now that there’s an assault coming on our constitution, and that hasn’t changed. I’m just getting started in the fight to protect Ohio’s values.”
Ohio House Speaker Jason Stephens:
“The people of Ohio have spoken. It is now time to turn our attention to November. As a 100% pro-life conservative, we must defeat Issue 1 on November 7."
Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman:
"Obviously I'm personally very disappointed, I think it's a question that was worth asking of the voter, not only because of the two issues that are on the ballot in November, but because of the 6-10 that are planned over the next couple of years."
Cuyahoga County Republican Party Chair Lisa Stickan:
“While Issue 1 came up short, I was happy to see the high interest and turnout in this special election. Issue 1 spurred much discussion about the role of our state Constitution. We thank the passionate and dedicated volunteers who advocated for Issue 1. We look forward to focusing on the upcoming election cycle and electing quality candidates this fall.”
3News' Bri Buckley spoke to voters after they cast their ballots at the polls on Tuesday.
"I think its just really important to ensure that we're not politicizing the right to amend our constitution the way it has been done," said Stephanie Chiariello from Cleveland.
"Whether you're for this or against it I'm not telling you you're right or wrong, but if you don't come out and vote who knows who's right and who's wrong," added John Ialacci, also from Cleveland.
Ohio Right to Life, the state’s oldest and largest anti-abortion group and a key force behind the special election measure, vowed to continue fighting into the fall.
Proponents of the measure, represented by the Protect Our Constitution coalition, argued that the increased percentage will keep deep-pocketed interest groups from pushing unwanted abortion, gun control, minimum wage, farm and other policies on Ohioans.
One Person One Vote, the opposition campaign, said the rushed effort in an off-year election is intended to prevent passing policies that are popular with a majority of average Ohioans but opposed by the increasingly conservative GOP supermajority at the Statehouse.
Since the landmark Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion was overturned last summer, amendments protecting access to abortion in other states, even conservative ones, have passed handily — but generally with less than 60% of the vote.
AP VoteCast polling last year found that 59% of Ohio voters say abortion should generally be legal.
3News' Ryan Haidet and Bri Buckley, along with the Associated Press, contributed to this report
Previous Reporting:
- What does a yes vote on Ohio Issue 1 mean? Details of the Aug. 8 special election
- Ohio Issue 1: An election that revolves around abortion rights has been fueled by national groups and money
- 'It's absolute nonsense': Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose responds to claims he has broken federal law by campaigning in favor of Issue 1