As previously reported, abortion opponents in Ohio have taken several approaches in their unsuccessful attempt to prevent the adoption of a reproductive rights amendment to the Ohio Constitution. First they unsuccessfully attempted to amend the state constitution to increase the percentage of voters needed to adopt a constitutional amendment. Then the state Ballot board adopted a description of the proposed amendment that was seen as painting the amendment in a less favorable light. Nevertheless, earlier this week voters adopted the amendment by a vote of 56.6% to 43.4%. Several legislators now say they will attempt to remove jurisdiction from Ohio courts to interpret the new amendment. In a November 9 press release from the state legislature's Republican Newsroom, Republican legislators said in part:
“Foreign billionaires don't get to make Ohio laws,” said Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester), pointing to millions from billionaires outside America that helped fund Issue 1. Gross added, “This is foreign election interference, and it will not stand.”...
Representative Beth Lear (R-Galena) stated, “No amendment can overturn the God given rights with which we were born.”
To prevent mischief by pro-abortion courts with Issue 1, Ohio legislators will consider removing jurisdiction from the judiciary over this ambiguous ballot initiative. The Ohio legislature alone will consider what, if any, modifications to make to existing laws based on public hearings and input from legal experts on both sides.
