ISSUE 1: FAQs
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT ISSUE 1
What is Issue 1?
Issue 1 is a proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution that would endanger the health and safety of women, threaten parental rights, and allow for abortion through all nine months of pregnancy. Ohioans will vote on November 7, 2023, whether to make this change to the Ohio Constitution.
What would Issue 1 do?
Put women at risk:
Health and safety standards in Ohio could be eliminated. Doctors could no longer need to examine a woman or explain the risks of the abortion procedure ahead of time.
Threaten parental rights:
A fifteen-year-old could have an abortion without her parents knowing. Current Ohio law requires parental notification and consent before a child under 18 can obtain an abortion. These parental right protections could be removed as they directly conflict with the amendment which would allow all individuals, including minors, to make their own reproductive decisions.
Allow for abortions of fully formed babies:
Abortion would be legal through all 9 months of pregnancy. Physicians at an abortion clinic could use a woman's age or emotional well-being as a reason to perform an abortion in the 3rd trimester.
Would abortion be illegal in Ohio if Issue 1 does not pass?
If Issue 1 does not pass, abortion would still be legal in Ohio until a baby's heartbeat can be detected. This standard was challenged in court and placed on hold, allowing for abortions up to 22 weeks as of September 15, 2023. Current laws that protect the safety of women and parental rights would stay in effect.
Doesn’t Issue 1 simply restore Ohio back to when Roe v. Wade was in effect?
Issue 1 goes dangerously beyond what was legalized in the Roe v. Wade ruling. It opens the door to remove important health and safety measures that protect women, threatens parental consent and notification of any minor seeking an abortion, and allows for abortion through all nine months of pregnancy.
Will miscarriage care or ectopic pregnancy treatment be denied if Issue 1 fails?
The passing or failure of Issue 1 will have no effect on the care a pregnant woman receives when her life is in danger, even if the treatment results in the loss of life of her unborn child. There is a fundamental difference between an elective abortion and the care provided after a miscarriage or for ectopic pregnancies. Women can always receive lifesaving treatment, including in Catholic hospitals. No law restricts this care in Ohio or any other state in the country.
What can I do to help defeat Issue 1?
PRAY & Fast EDUCATE
Yourself and TELL OTHERS about the dangers of Issue 1
Register & VOTE NO on Issue 1
Tuesday, October 10: Deadline to Register to Vote or Update Voter Information
Wednesday, October 11: Absentee and Early In-Person Voting begins
Sunday, November 5 at 5:00 pm: Early In-Person Voting ends
Monday, November 6: Last day to drop off or postmark your Absentee Ballot
Tuesday, November 7th: ELECTION DAY
