What is Issue 1?

Issue 1 is a proposed amendment to the Ohio Constitution that would endanger the health and safety of women, threaten parental rights, and allow for abortion through all nine months of pregnancy. Ohioans will vote on November 7, 2023, whether to make this change to the Ohio Constitution.

What would Issue 1 do?

Put women at risk:

Health and safety standards in Ohio could be eliminated. Doctors could no longer need to examine a woman or explain the risks of the abortion procedure ahead of time.

Threaten parental rights:

A fifteen-year-old could have an abortion without her parents knowing. Current Ohio law requires parental notification and consent before a child under 18 can obtain an abortion. These parental right protections could be removed as they directly conflict with the amendment which would allow all individuals, including minors, to make their own reproductive decisions.

Allow for abortions of fully formed babies: Abortion would be legal through all 9 months of pregnancy. Physicians at an abortion clinic could use a woman’s age or emotional well-being as a reason to perform an abortion in the 3rd trimester.

Would abortion be illegal in Ohio if Issue 1 does not pass?

If Issue 1 does not pass, abortion would still be legal in Ohio until a baby’s heartbeat can be detected. This standard was challenged in court and placed on hold, allowing for abortions up to 22 weeks as of September 15, 2023. Current laws that protect the safety of women and parental rights would stay in effect.

Doesn’t Issue 1 simply restore Ohio back to when Roe v. Wade was in effect?

Issue 1 goes dangerously beyond what was legalized in the Roe v. Wade ruling. It opens the door to remove important health and safety measures that protect women, threatens parental consent and notification of any minor seeking an abortion, and allows for abortion through all nine months of pregnancy.

Will miscarriage care or ectopic pregnancy treatment be denied if Issue 1 fails?

The passing or failure of Issue 1 will have no effect on the

care a pregnant woman receives when her life is in danger, even if the treatment results in the loss of life of her unborn child. There is a fundamental difference between an elective abortion and the care provided after a miscarriage. In the case of an ectopic pregnancy, the life-affirming option is to surgically remove the mother’s fallopian tube in which the embryo has implanted. No law restricts this care in Ohio or any other state in the country.

How is the Church helping pregnant women in need?

For decades, numerous Catholic social service agencies, in collaboration with faith-based and secular organizations, have assisted pregnant women in need with material resources and personal accompaniment during pregnancy and after their child is born. Project Rachel helps those struggling post-abortion. Every woman should be able to depend upon a community for support and the Catholic Church remains committed to woman in need.

What is the Church doing to protect life and defeat Issue 1?

Each diocese in Ohio is working together, through the Catholic Conference of Ohio, to help Catholics understand the dangers of Issue 1 to women, parents, and life. We are also part of the Protect Women Ohio coalition to let all voters know Issue 1 is harmful for Ohioans.

What can I do to help defeat Issue 1?

1. PRAY & Fast
2. EDUCATE Yourself and TELL OTHERS about the dangers of Issue 1
3. Register & VOTE NO on Issue 1

Where can I learn more?

Read the full text of the proposed change to the Ohio Constitution and learn about the concerning language that puts women at risk, threatens parental rights, and allows for abortions through all nine months of pregnancy: