Advocates both for and against abortion rights are preparing for the Nov. 7 general election, when a proposed constitutional Ohio amendment protecting a right to abortion will appear on the ballot.
Butler County advocates – both Planned Parenthood, which provides abortion services, and Oxford Women Care Center, which attempts to steer women away from abortion – are planning actions over the next several weeks to sway votes on this issue. Anti-abortion activists from Oxford plan to protest outside of the Planned Parenthood in Hamilton, while college Democrats in Oxford plan to go door to door to gain more voters.
The measure on the ballot in November would change the constitution to grant women rights to make reproductive decisions, including abortion. It would give the state authority to regulate abortion after fetal viability, granting the patient’s doctor authority to determine the survival of the fetus. The patient’s doctor will also be able to authorize an abortion to protect the patient’s life.
Staff at the Oxford Women’s Care Center, which discourages abortion and is located off highway 27, is participating in a “40 Days of Life” vigil outside the Planned Parenthood in Hamilton from now through Sept. 5.
Treena Newcomer, the director of the Women’s Care Center, said she is handing out signs and encouraging everyone she talks to to vote “no.” She said the amendment would give doctors authority to perform abortions whenever they wanted, case-by-case.
“Ignorance on issues might be our nemesis, but we’re trying to get the word out,” Newcomer said.
Planned Parenthood in Hamilton, provides confidential reproductive health services such as pregnancy tests, counseling and abortions. They are advocating for Ohioans to vote yes on the amendment.
The organization has teamed up with Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights to canvas around Ohio. They are going door to door talking to community members about the November election and reproductive rights. They are facilitating a community canvas in Oxford Sept. 28 from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. meeting at Oxford Lane Library.
As well, Oct. 8 marks a day of action for Planned Parenthood where abortion rights supporters lead the “Bans Off Our Bodies” rallies in multiple cities across Ohio including Dayton and Cincinnati.
“This is a critical moment for Ohioans and for patients,” said Lauren Blauvelt, VP of Government Affairs and Public Advocacy for Planned Parenthood Advocates of Ohio. “Voting yes on issue 1 is the only way to ensure that women and their families have the right to their personal medical decisions. If folks vote no on issue 1, that is making the decision to give your personal medical decisions over to the government.”
Voter registration ends Oct. 10 and early voting begins Oct. 11 and goes until Nov. 5.
