Ohio takes steps toward securing reproductive rights through petition certification

Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost recently certified a petition called “The Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protection for Health and Safety.” The goal is to put this petition on the ballot in Ohio, but it must receive more than 400,000 signatures 65 days before the November election. The petition aims to give every Ohioan the right to make and carry out their own decisions regarding pregnancy. The Dayton Reproductive Rights Group views this certification as a step in the right direction towards securing reproductive rights and healthcare for women.

While the “The Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protection for Health and Safety” petition would allow women to make their own reproductive decisions at early and mid-stages of pregnancy, some believe the language of the petition is too extreme for Ohio. Margie Christie, Director of Dayton Right to Life, stated that the petition “goes really too far for even the medium” and eliminates parental consent, Down syndrome, and the 24-hour waiting period, while allowing abortions to be performed up until the full nine months.

The petition’s ultimate goal is to add an amendment to the state’s constitution in light of the potential overturn of Roe v. Wade. Professor Marc Clauson, a history and law professor at Cedarville University, explained that the amendment would put into place a particular legal arrangement for abortion that cannot be changed by the courts or the legislature. He also stated that the petition has a 50/50 chance of making it onto the ballot, depending on whether the Ohio Ballot Board decides it needs a single constitutional amendment or more.

Dayton Right to Life is working to educate people on the petition and expose its language. Meanwhile, pro-choice groups view the certification of the petition as a hopeful step for the future of their children. Rachel Gannon, with the Dayton Reproductive Rights Group, expressed hope that the petition will secure reproductive rights for women and ensure that future generations are as secure as they were a year ago.

In summary, Ohio’s Attorney General recently certified a petition called “The Right to Reproductive Freedom with Protection for Health and Safety.” Its goal is to give Ohioans the right to make their own decisions regarding pregnancy. While the petition would allow women to make their own reproductive decisions at early and mid-stages of pregnancy, some believe the language of the petition is too extreme for Ohio. The petition’s ultimate goal is to add an amendment to the state’s constitution in light of the potential overturn of Roe v. Wade. Dayton Right to Life is working to educate people on the petition while pro-choice groups view the certification as a hopeful step for future generations.

 

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