Abortion advocates in the Buckeye State have filed a lawsuit over language used in a ballot measure that will allow voters to decide whether to write abortion rights into the state constitution.
According to The Cincinnati Enquirer, a pro-abortion group called Ohioans for Reproductive Rights asked the Ohio Supreme Court to employ the same language on the ballot that was used to collect signatures and circulate petitions for the proposed amendment. Democratic language conflates abortion with other treatments, such as birth control and infertility treatments, and calls the developing unborn life a “fetus.” Not to mention Democrats employ the term “pregnant patient” and not “pregnant mother.” Republicans on the Ohio elections board reportedly said theirs wordingwhich is exact and highlights what happens during abortion, is fair (via Questioning):
– Republicans emphasize “abortion” in their language, mentioning it seven times compared to three references in a summary by abortion rights supporters.
– The summary of the amendment refers to several reproductive rights, including access to contraception, infertility treatment, care in the event of miscarriage and continuing pregnancy. Republican language singles out abortion and groups the rest under “reproductive medical treatment.”
– The summary of the amendment used the term “pregnant patient” and the Republicans used the term “pregnant woman.”
– Republicans employ the word “unborn child” while the amendment uses the word “fetus.”
– Republican language says “Ohio citizens” can ban abortion under certain circumstances. The amendment says “State of Ohio” is a reference to lawmakers, prosecutors and other government officials.
“Issue 1 was expressly written to protect the right of Ohioans to make their own health care decisions regarding contraception, pregnancy and abortion, without government interference,” Lauren Blauvelt, spokeswoman for Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights, told the agency. “The summary that was adopted by the Board of Elections is intentionally misleading and does not meet the standards required by Ohio law.”
Pro-life advocates expressed confidence that the state Supreme Court would reject the lawsuit.
“The Board of Elections comment rightly presented the scientifically accurate language used in the abortion industry,” said Mike Gonidakis, president of Ohio Right to Life. “Planned Parenthood is clearly concerned that Ohioans realize this language is dangerous and a bridge too far, even for pro-choice women.”
Early voting on this solution will begin on October 11. If passed, the sweeping abortion amendment would ban virtually all restrictions on abortion and other procedures such as gender reassignment surgery, as Townhall has previously reported.
Pro-life organizations like Protect Women Ohio are working to stop this amendment.
“This extremely anti-life, anti-parent ACLU amendment provides no protection for unborn children during all nine months of pregnancy and attacks the right of parents to even know whether their child is seeking an abortion or gender surgery,” Peter Range, executive director of Ohio Right to Life, said in: statement.
