As the Ohio State University Buckeyes kick off against the Notre Dame Fighting Irish on Saturday, Ohio abortion opponents will kick off their ad blitz to convince voters to reject Issue 1 this November.
Protect Women Ohio, the group opposing the abortion rights amendment, launched its first ad aimed at defeating the issue on Nov. 7. The 30-second ad focuses on abortions later in pregnancy, which polls indicate are unpopular among both Democrats and Republicans.
“Issue 1 is not about preserving ‘choice’ or ‘reproductive freedom,'” said Kristen Day, executive director of Democrats for Life, in a statement. “As Democrats, we need to refocus on protecting people and providing alternatives to abortion instead of using abortion to drive people to the polls.”
More:What Ohioans need to know about November ballot issue on abortion
The proposed amendment on Ohio’s November ballot would allow abortions after fetal viability, typically about 24 weeks gestation, to save the pregnant patient’s life or health − a decision that would be made by the patient’s treating physician.
Proponents say this amendment is needed to protect patients’ rights in complicated medical scenarios. Abortions late in pregnancy are rare. About 1% of abortions nationwide happen after 21 weeks gestation, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“This is deceptive language used by anti-abortion extremists to distract from their attempts to ban abortion entirely − bans that put women’s lives at risk,” said Dr. Marcela Azevedo, with Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights, in a statement. “The proposed amendment clearly states that abortion may be prohibited after fetal viability. Time and time again, extreme anti-abortion activists are lying and misleading Ohio voters.
