As the upcoming elections get closer, it is important to understand the essential issues on the ballot and what the bills entail.
A major issue that has been in progression since the overturning of Roe Vs. Wade is Issue 1. Ohio’s Issue 1 is the Right to Make Reproductive Decisions Including Abortion Initiative. After the overturning of Roe v. Wade in the U.S. Supreme Court, Ohio immediately enacted the heartbeat bill. This made it more difficult for people to obtain abortions and contraceptives, as well as introducing other reproductive issues.
Voting “yes” establishes “a state constitutional right to make and carry out one’s own reproductive decisions,” according to BallotPedia. Voting “yes” is supported by the Ohio Democratic Party, ACLU of Ohio, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio and Ohio Women’s Alliance.
Voting “no” will keep the current system. This is supported by the Ohio Republican Party, Ohio Right to Life and Right to Life Action Coalition of Ohio.
Allowing this bill to be passed would allow many people all over the state to have access to abortions and reproductive rights.
A significant reason to keep the current reproductive law is to prevent abortions. One major argument is whether the current laws effectively stop abortions. In Ohio, citizens currently cannot have abortions, but they have still found ways to get them.
According to GutterMacher Institution, “81,120 out of 930,160 [abortions] were obtained by people traveling out of their state of residence.” Meaning that about one of every 10 abortions are occurring outside of the patient’s home state. If Ohio maintains the current abortion ban, citizens will continue to travel out of state to get the care they need.
Issue 2 is to decide whether recreational marijuana will be legalized.
Ohio Capital Journal reports this bill “would create a new state law to legalize and regulate recreational marijuana for adults aged 21 and above, including cultivation, processing, sale, purchase, possession and home growth.”
Voting “yes” allows individuals access to recreational marijuana. This proposed law models the practices of 23 other states to create a system that regulates and taxes marijuana just like alcohol.
Enacting this legislation would mean that citizens would be able to legally gain access to cannabis. Marijuana would be available for those over the age of 21 to purchase. Ohio would treat the use of cannabis similar to how it treats alcohol.
If Issue 2 passes, the decision to allow cannabis on campus for students over the age of 21 would be up to the university’s Public Safety Office and administration.
Voting “no” denies citizens over the age of 21 the ability to legally purchase or possess marijuana, maintaining Ohio’s current law. This would deny the use of marijuana as a recreational drug.
As far as the other election sections, there are portions for judicial nominations, mayor voting and specialized levies that are specific to each county. For example, students that vote in Franklin County can take part in voting for a new mayor in Columbus.
