An estimated 5,000 Ohioans will be in Columbus on Friday for the state's second annual March for Life rally, nearly one month before the state votes on adding abortion rights to its constitution.
"These ballot amendments and ballot initiatives have been an area of grave concern for the pro-life movement," March for Life President Jeanne Mancini told the Washington Examiner. "All eyes are on Ohio."
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In August, Ohioans voted in a special election to keep the ability to amend their state constitution with a simple majority vote. This means that in November, they will only need a simple majority to amend the state constitution to prevent the state legislature from acting in a way that would "directly or indirectly burden, penalize, prohibit, interfere with, or discriminate against" abortion or reproductive healthcare decisions, such as fertility treatments or contraception.
In preparation for the march, Mancini said that "the stakes are really high," as other states are weighing similar amendments for the 2024 cycle.
"Sadly, what we're seeing is some of these pro-life states are moving far to the left of what [was allowed under Roe v. Wade] through these ballot initiatives, and there is a tremendous amount of confusion," Mancini said. "The average resident in the state doesn't understand how radical and extreme these enactments are."
Amy Natoce of Protect Women Ohio, the coalition of anti-abortion voices in opposition to the amendment, told the Washington Examiner there is "tremendous enthusiasm" in the month leading up to the vote. With early voting starting on Oct. 11, Natoce sees the March for Life event as an excellently timed but fortuitous coincidence in the effort to rally voters in the final stretch.
Natoce said the August vote to keep the simple majority would not be a predictor of the vote in November on the amendment, referred to as Issue 1, because of the clear messaging about abortion coming from both sides of the campaign.
"It was hard to define in August. It's defined in November. People know what is at stake," Natoce said.
PWO and other anti-abortion groups have said the amendment will nullify existing statutory protections against gestational age limitations, safety standards for abortion facilities, and parental consent requirements for minors.
Ohioans United for Reproductive Rights told the Washington Examiner that the characterization of the amendment as anti-parent or extreme is "wrong."
"As a husband and a father, I'm supporting Issue 1," said Gabriel Mann, communications director for the pro-abortion group. "Voting 'yes' on Issue 1 will stop this abortion ban and put Ohioans back in charge of our families' personal medical decisions."
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A six-month gestational age limit on abortion is being battled in state courts. Until that matter is adjudicated fully, abortion is legal through 22 weeks gestation in the Buckeye State.
Gov. Mike DeWine (R-OH) and State Attorney General Dave Yost will join rallygoers on Friday. Sen. J.D. Vance (R-OH) will be speaking at the event.