This November, Ohioans will get to vote on the issue of abortion access. YWCA Columbus congratulates and thanks Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights, whose hard work to gather signatures resulted in 495,938 valid signatures, which is more than the required amount of 413,487 signatures needed for ballot issues. This effort shows that Ohioans do support abortion rights and access in this state, and voters will show up at the polls this fall to enshrine reproductive autonomy in the Ohio constitution.

Now that the issue will be on the ballot for Ohioans, we are eager to continue to uplift the message to Vote No on Issue 1 on Aug. 8. If passed, Issue 1 would increase the pass rate of constitutional ballot amendments from 50+1% to 60%, effectively cementing minority rule in Ohio. This effort, led by a small minority, does not reflect the values of democracy, or that of YWCA Columbus, which is why we encourage Ohio voters to vote no this August.  

We look forward to supporting reproductive justice advocates in the fight to protect bodily autonomy for all. Remember to vote yes in November. Until reproductive justice, just is.