Ohio made a significant stride towards safeguarding abortion rights in its constitution as voters approved a constitutional amendment known as Issue 1. The victory for pro-choice campaigners in the conservative-leaning state is a crucial development in the ongoing battle for reproductive freedom.

According to projections by the BBC's US partner CBS News, Issue 1 received strong support from Ohio voters, with almost 57% in favor of enshrining abortion rights in the state's constitution. The success of this amendment is expected to energize Democrats and reinforce their belief that abortion rights remain a winning issue leading up to the 2024 elections.

This amendment serves as another triumph for ballot measures aimed at protecting abortion rights, maintaining an unbroken streak since the Supreme Court revoked the nationwide right to abortion last year. Ohio's Issue 1, however, posed a unique challenge for abortion rights advocates, as it marked the first time a Republican-led state considered explicitly guaranteeing the right to abortion in its constitution.

Issue 1 will bring about a change in Ohio's constitution, ensuring protections for abortion access. It will establish an individual's right to reproductive medical treatment, including abortion, contraception, and miscarriage care. The amendment is set to take effect on December 7, 30 days after the election.

Proponents of the amendment warned voters that without its passage, more restrictive laws could be introduced, potentially leading to a ban on abortions after six weeks of pregnancy with no exceptions. Currently, abortion is legal in Ohio until 22 weeks of pregnancy.

Those who opposed the measure argued that it would allow for currently illegal late-term abortions. However, supporters of Issue 1 emphasized that any abortions later in pregnancy would require approval from a medical professional, indicating serious health concerns.

As the votes were being counted in the early hours, pro-choice supporters celebrated what they saw as a significant victory. Kate Gillie, speaking at a watch party, expressed her jubilation, stating, "This is one of the greatest moments of my life, working so hard with my team to achieve reproductive rights and freedoms in Ohio." Others, like Frank Tedeschi, highlighted the impact on future generations, saying, "We've got two little girls and this is about their future and their reproductive rights."

In the lead-up to the election, one group opposed to the amendment, Protect Women Ohio, reportedly raised around $10 million since September. In a statement, the group expressed disappointment at the vote's outcome, stating, "Our hearts are broken tonight not because we lost an election, but because Ohio families, women, and children will bear the brunt of this vote." They also emphasized their commitment to advocating for women and the unborn during this challenging time.

The constitutional amendment explicitly prohibits the state from burdening, penalizing or prohibiting abortion before viability, which is generally considered to be around 23 weeks of pregnancy. It does, however, allow the state to restrict abortion after viability unless it is deemed necessary to protect life or health, as determined by the patient's physician.

Looking ahead, Ohio Republicans, who currently hold control of the legislature and governorship, have indicated their intention to introduce new measures concerning abortion in response to Issue 1's approval. Jason Stephens, Speaker of the Ohio House of Representatives, assured his supporters that there are "multiple paths we will explore to continue to protect innocent life."

This outcome in Ohio provides insights into voters' perspectives on abortion over a year after the repeal of Roe v. Wade, the landmark ruling guaranteeing women the right to an abortion until the point of fetal viability, approximately 24 weeks. Democrats, including President Joe Biden, are likely to view this result as a positive sign for the issue's significance in the upcoming elections.

In addition to Ohio, two other elections held on Tuesday will also shape abortion access in the near future. The re-election of Democratic Governor Andy Beshear in Kentucky, who campaigned against his opponent's strict anti-abortion stance, is considered a victory for activists fighting to maintain abortion access in the state. Furthermore, Democrats in Virginia secured control of both legislative chambers after campaigning against the push by Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin to ban abortion after 15 weeks of pregnancy. These results have prompted attention in other states, such as Arizona and Missouri, which are considering similar ballot measures next year, closely monitoring the outcome in Ohio.