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Ohio doesn't often follow Michigan's lead, but in a matter that overshadows any sports rivalry, one Ohio advocacy group appears to have scored a victory. According to Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights, the group was able to drop off more than 700,000 petition signatures to Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose's office Wednesday, in the hope of having an amendment placed on the Nov. 7 ballot.
"Today, we take a huge step forward in the fight for abortion access and reproductive freedom for all, to ensure that Ohioans and their families can make their own health care decisions without government interference," Lauren Blauvelt and Kellie Copeland of Ohioans for Reproductive Freedom, a coalition member, said in a statement.
LaRose's office must now check with local boards of elections to ensure all the signatures are valid -- 413,446 must be, if the proposal is to make the ballot. That there are hundreds of thousands more signatures than needed is a testament to the ability of a coalition of community advocacy groups to work together to create the opportunity for change.
Similar to a constitutional amendment approved by Michigan voters last year, the proposed Ohio amendment would establish "a fundamental right to reproductive freedom" with "reasonable limits."
Should enough signatures be deemed valid, those on both side of the issue should cheer its inclusion on the November ballot. After all, the aim is for those who represent us in Columbus do so on our behalf. They work for us. Inclusion of such a question on the ballot will give voters the opportunity to tell Columbus how to proceed, rather than the other way around.
Those who are certain they know what the majority of Ohio voters value should be thrilled with the possibility.