Voters in Ohio reject change to state’s constitution

Delivering a win for abortion rights advocates, Ohio’s Issue 1 will fail, the Associated Press projects. The Republican-backed ballot initiative would have increased the threshold to amend the state's constitution, making it more difficult for a measure that would enshrine abortion rights into the state's constitution to pass later this year.

A "yes" vote on Issue 1 meant that constitutional amendments, including the abortion amendment, would have needed 60% support, rather than the existing minimum of 50% plus one. The increased threshold would have been put into place immediately if Issue 1 had passed.

Issue 1 also would have created more strict signature requirements for citizen-led measures to appear on the ballot. Currently, organizers must collect a number of signatures equal to 5% of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election from half of Ohio’s 88 counties. If Issue 1 had passed, organizers would have needed signatures from all 88 counties.

Additionally, Issue 1 would have eliminated the 10-day cure period, during which citizens can replace any signatures rejected by the state.

A "no" vote on Issue 1 meant maintaining the existing requirement to amend the state constitution through a ballot initiative with the support of a simple majority.