constitutional amendment

The language veers from that used in the original proposed amendment that could enshrine abortion into Ohio's constitution.

It's not unusual for a first attempt at summary language for an issue to be put before Ohio voters to be rejected, so the group proposing the amendment said it will try again.

If Ohio voters approve an amendment guaranteeing abortion access and reproductive rights in November, Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman (R-Lima) says another abortion issue could be close on its heels.

In the months after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, an Ohio Supreme Court action put a six-week abortion ban in place that was later lifted by another court. Today the fight is over constitutional amendments.

One group in a coalition of 250 will hold a training event this weekend north of Columbus to teach volunteers how to work to oppose the amendment that, if passed, would require a 60% voter threshold for future constitutional amendments.

Gov. Mike DeWine cited the argument often repeated by Republicans — that protecting the state constitution from "out of state interests" is important. He didn't say why that must be done in August.

The language for the ballot issue in August that proposes changing the constitution to make it tougher to pass amendments was approved by the Ohio Ballot Board along party lines.

Legal experts say the resolution passed earlier this week by the Ohio Legislature is illegal.

The special election on the resolution to make it harder to amend Ohio constitution will be Aug. 8, but it’s possible it will face a legal challenge.

There are two vacant seats in the Ohio House and it is thought that might change the number of votes needed to pass the measure.