COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — Ohio voters on Tuesday resoundingly rejected a Republican-backed measure that would have made it more difficult to change the state’s constitution, setting up a fall campaign that will become the nation’s latest referendum on abortion rights since the U.S. Supreme Court overturned nationwide protections last year.

The defeat of Issue 1 keeps in place a simple majority threshold for passing future constitutional amendments, rather than the 60% supermajority that was proposed. Its supporters said the higher bar would protect the state’s foundational document from outside interest groups.

Voter opposition to the proposal was widespread, even spreading into traditionally Republican territory. In fact, in early returns, support for the measure fell far short of former President Donald Trump’s performance during the 2020 election in nearly every county.

  • coffeetest@kbin.social
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    1 year ago

    70%/30% victory last I looked which is absolutely massive and a crushing defeat of this GOP cynical attempt to repress the will of the people.

    Not long ago I think many people felt certain rights were theirs forever and never going to be lost and so there was no reason to fight. Watching what happens when a supreme court made up of people who promised congress that they would repost precedent and that Roe was settled law turn out to be corrupt liars and religious nuts with no underlying principles except those that support what they want at the moment was an extreme wake-up call. At least I hope so.

  • HarkMahlberg@kbin.social
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    1 year ago

    Gotta give the midwest credit - between Ohio rejecting the 60% ballot approval measure and Kansas voting directly to keep abortion legal, they’ve been bringing their A game to voter turnout.