Ohio takes crucial step towards public vote that could secure right to abortion

Reproductive rights groups in Ohio cleared a significant hurdle on Thursday in their effort to bring a ballot initiative before voters that would secure a constitutional right to abortion.

The Ohio attorney general, Dave Yost, approved a petition brought by campaigners looking to bring the ballot initiative to voters in November 2023. The petition will now go to the Ohio ballot board for approval, which has 10 days to approve or reject it.

If it passes, that same question will go to voters on the November 2023 ballot. If abortion rights proponents manage to get their initiative on the ballot for November, their effort will only require clearing the current 50% threshold.