Anti-abortion politicians in Ohio are trying to trick voters, say their opponents. At stake is a constitutional amendment that directly targets reproductive rights. Here is the full story.
Constitution Under Attack
When Buckeyes head to the polls in November, one of the issues they’ll be voting on is whether or not to amend the Ohio state constitution.
A Lot at Stake
And, as with most proposed amendments, the stakes for this one are sky high.
The States Are in Control
Ever since the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in the summer of 2022, the fate of abortion rights has been left up to the states.
Some Have Banned Abortions
Many conservative states, like Texas, have banned nearly all abortions outright.
Ohio Is Undecided
But Ohio has taken a more mixed approach to their abortion laws.
A Knee-Jerk Reaction
Immediately after the Supreme Court’s decision, Ohio reverted to a 2019 measure that banned abortion after six weeks of pregnancy.
They Bought Some Time
A couple of court decisions in the fall of 2022, though, blocked that ban indefinitely. That moved the abortion time limit out to 22 weeks and also gave legislators and activists a chance to act.
Permanent Abortion Rights
Thanks to a concerted effort by abortion rights advocates, the November Ohio ballot will ask citizens whether or not to approve an amendment which makes access to abortions a more permanent right.
A Language Barrier
The problem is the actual language that will be used on the ballot, which was crafted and approved by the Republican-controlled Ohio Ballot Board.
Lost in Translation
And something got lost – or added – in the translation from the actual proposed amendment to the ballot language says Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights.
Ballot Board Sued
The activist group, along with five of the original amendment petitioners, filed a suit against the Ballot Board in early September.
An Unborn Child Appeared
At issue is the term “unborn child,” which the Ballot Board inserted into the ballot language, but which does not appear in the amendment itself.
No One Can Agree
According to the suit, there is widespread disagreement about when a “ zygote, embryo, or fetus becomes a ‘child’.”
Politicians Aren’t Qualified
And since even scientists have not come to a consensus on that important matter, the suit claims, Republican lawmakers aren’t equipped to make that determination.
Playing Word Games
In fact, the lawsuit claims, “unborn child” was deliberately added to the ballot language to make the idea less appealing to the average and perhaps undecided voter.
Fetal Viability Is the Yardstick
The language used in the actual amendment uses much more precise (and less emotionally-charged) language, saying instead that “abortion may be prohibited after fetal viability.”
It’s a Scare Tactic
The change in ballot language is all part of fear-mongering and finger-pointing on the part of Republicans, say supporters of the amendment.
The Boss Was Wrong
As evidence, they point to the erroneous claim on social media by Ohio’s Republican secretary of state, Frank LaRose, who also chairs the Ballot Board.
A Frightening Thought
According to LaRose’s post, the proposed amendment would support “abortion on demand up to the moment of birth.”
Crushing Language
That’s completely false, say abortion rights activists in the state.
And it’s just the sort of language the new lawsuit hopes to crush before the ballot goes live.
This Business Put up a “No Gen Z’s Allowed” Sign, and the Gen Z’s Are Furious
A small business owner has gone viral on Twitter for posting a sign in his shop window berating Gen Z cashiers, claiming that he had to close because his cashiers quit as he didn’t let their boyfriends stand around with them all shift. This Business Put up a “No Gen Z’s Allowed” Sign, and the Gen Z’s Are Furious
President Biden Sniffs Child in an Incident That’s Been Branded “Quite Strange”
Criticism floods in as President Joe Biden’s recent interaction with a young girl at Helsinki Airport raises eyebrows and leaves many questioning his behavior and ability to lead. President Biden Sniffs Child in an Incident That’s Been Branded “Quite Strange”
Biden Is an “International Joke” – An Embarrassing Moment for an Octogenarian President?
Recently, a false claim has been making the rounds that Biden made embarrassing remarks about curing cancer. We dig into what was reported vs. what actually happened. Biden Is an “International Joke” – An Embarrassing Moment for an Octogenarian President?
Foreign Migrants Are OVERFLOWING in NYC – Who’s to Blame?
Migrants are being transported to cities across the nation, and there isn’t enough housing or shelter to hold everyone. Foreign Migrants Are OVERFLOWING in NYC – Who’s to Blame?
Florida Is Banning Transgender People From Schools: Trans Teachers and Students Are Now Back in the Closet, by Law
The Orange County Public Schools, one of the largest and most prominent school districts in Florida, recently made headlines with the issuance of new guidelines that have stirred significant controversy. Here’s the full story. Florida Is Banning Transgender People From Schools: Trans Teachers and Students Are Now Back in the Closet, by Law
The post Lawmakers Are Trying to TRICK You Into Voting Against Abortion! Activists Are Trying to Stop Them in Their Tracks first appeared on Career Step Up
Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / vetre. The people shown in the images are for illustrative purposes only, not the actual people featured in the story.
Source: NBC News
