Although I am a Bowling Green City Council member, I am not writing this letter in that capacity. However, I will draw on my public policy graduate degrees and American government college teaching experience to briefly discuss a few points about State Issue 1.
From a legislative standpoint, the core of the abortion issue is a tension between two rights. First, yes, abortion ends a human life. Second, there is a right for the woman to choose what to do with her body.
The crux of this issue is the interrelationship between “right to life” and “right to choose.”
A judicious position would be to recognize both rights and have legislation that takes both of them into consideration. State Issue 1 does not effectively do that. The wording is such that it may have the same outcome as ignoring the right to life.
What is needed is a serious discussion of the issue. One that recognizes both rights. What is not needed is this amendment that, in effect, allows abortion throughout all nine months and potentially negates a number of reasonable laws (e.g., parental notification). If you think there should be a more moderate approach to this very important issue, then you should vote “No.”
To echo The Toledo Blade Editorial Staff, “This amendment to the state constitution goes too far and should be defeated” (https://www.toledoblade.com/opinion/editorials/2023/10/22/editorial-issue-1-overreach/stories/20231022028).
Further, it is a Constitutional amendment. So, if it passes and its effects become more fully known, the state legislature could not easily make adjustments. Changes to the Ohio Constitution should not be made lightly. The default position should be to vote “No” on any amendment to the Constitution, unless there is certainty. If there are doubts about one’s position and/or the effects of the amendment, the prudent action would be to vote “No.”
The official amendment wording and arguments can be found at the Ohio Secretary of State’s Web site: https://www.ohiosos.gov/globalassets/elections/2023/gen/issuesreport.pdf, pages 1-3.
I do hope that this overview has been helpful. Please feel free to reach out to discuss this in more detail.
William J. Herald
Bowling Green
